1 (317) 634-2423
1 (317) 634-2423
/Work/Equity Imperative Plan/Housing Equity

Housing Equity

When people have stable housing, they can focus on building their futures—pursuing education, securing good jobs, and contributing to their communities. Safe and affordable homes reduce stress, improve health outcomes, and create opportunities for economic mobility. We believe that by ensuring everyone has a place to live with dignity, we are creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous Indianapolis for generations to come.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the shortage of affordable rental housing, plus the rising cost burden, has increased housing instability, which takes a toll on individuals’ health and quality of life. This shortage of rental homes disproportionately impacts Black, Latino/a/e/x, and Indigenous households. Due to elevated prices and rising interest rates, the affordability of purchasing a home in Indianapolis is near its lowest point in more than 15 years.

920+

In 2022, on average, more than 920 evictions and 110 foreclosures were recorded in Indianapolis each month.

1,701

Marion County had 1,701 unhoused and unsheltered individuals on Jan. 24, 2024

53%

53% represented in the 2024 PIT count

37%

37% of the total 2024 PIT count were women and girls

In 2022, on average, more than 920 evictions and 110 foreclosures were recorded in Indianapolis each month. Community members most often cited job loss and lack of income as the main cause of their homelessness. According to a Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, which provides a single-night snapshot of homelessness in the community, Marion County had 1,701 unhoused and unsheltered individuals on Jan. 24, 2024. Black residents continued to be overrepresented among neighbors experiencing homelessness, with 53% represented in the 2024 PIT count. Also, 37% of the total 2024 PIT count were women and girls.

“ Homelessness is a problem we can absolutely solve in our lifetime. We already have the playbook. ”

Gregg Colburn, , Homelessness is a Housing Problem
Current State

Indianapolis and Marion County have profound housing inequities, including insufficient affordable housing options, and substantial disparities in homeownership, homelessness, and evictions. High incidents of gun violence are also prevalent in neighborhoods where these disparities exist. These inequities are exacerbated by intersecting factors of systemic racism and income inequality.

Housing Strategies and Tactics
  1. Eradicate homelessness through the comprehensive adoption and implementation of the Housing First model, and ensuring immediate access to stable housing.
    1. Scale capacity of Housing First organizations.
    2. Build a pipeline to engage service providers for participation in the Housing to Recovery Fund.
    3. Convene stakeholders and drive alignment around developing a Housing First standard.
  2. Reduce evictions, particularly for single-parent households, by enhancing tenant advocacy and implementing systemic housing solutions to ensure long-term housing stability.
    1. Fund direct service providers that support households at risk of eviction.
    2. Formalize and expand an eviction prevention coalition.
    3. Support community conversations/tenants’ rights education sessions to inform residents of their rights and resources.
  3. Expand the supply of affordable housing and improve access by providing technical assistance and financial incentives to nonprofit developers, which, in turn, will facilitate the creation of permanently affordable housing and improved public infrastructure.
    1. Organize an Affordable Housing Coalition.
    2. Scale equitable ownership pipelines for low-and-moderate-income homebuyers.
    3. Develop a public policy initiative to address barriers to home ownership, increase housing stability, and eliminate restrictive zoning laws for development.