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According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, literal homelessness is defined as an individual or family who lacks a regular, fixed nighttime residence. This definition encompasses individuals living unsheltered, in places not meant for human habitation, in shelters and transitional housing programs. HUD’s broader definition includes individuals and families facing immediate loss of housing (like eviction), fleeing domestic violence and those considered homeless under other federal programs.
As CEO of HVAF of Indiana Inc., I would argue the true picture of homelessness is not reflected in the federal definition. Staying with friends and family, couch surfing or paying for a hotel are all excluded from the definition above.
Each January, HUD requires communities around the country to complete the Point-in-Time Count to determine the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. In Indianapolis, our community conducted the latest count on Jan. 22. The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Preventionmrecently released the data, sadly revealing an increase in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Marion County. On Jan. 22, 1,815 of our neighbors were homeless.
On that night, 331 people were unsheltered when an arctic air mass settled in, bringing a wind chill of below zero. The count found 316 minor children and 125 veterans.
With public discussions about encampments and the rise in homelessness in our city and across the country, I want to pause for a moment and highlight the work being done across our city to end veteran homelessness. For over a decade, significant progress has been made in reducing the number of veterans experiencing homelessness.
This year in Indianapolis, there was a 26% reduction in the number of veterans experiencing homelessness. Veteran homelessness has been decreasing since 2015, when 389 veterans were counted during the annual Point-in-Time Count.
Despite significant progress, veterans are still overrepresented among the homeless population. About 8% of individuals experiencing homelessness are veterans, while only 4% of Marion County residents served in the military. Veterans are more likely to be homeless than nonveterans, especially women veterans. In fact, women veterans are 2-3 times more likely to be homeless than any other adult in the United States.
HVAF of Indiana Inc. is proud to be on the front lines combatting homelessness with those who served our country. With our street outreach, housing, employment, mental health and basic needs programming, we provide holistic services to help veterans end their homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency.
Last year, 1,346 veterans received life-changing assistance at HVAF, and 40,930 services were provided to veterans, including more than 105,000 pounds of food and clothing distributed to those in need.
We recently joined the Department of Veterans Affairs and other community providers, including Intecare, Volunteers of America, and the Homeless Initiative Program, to host a surge effort to provide same-day housing to unsheltered veterans in Indianapolis. It was an incredible, collaborative effort through which more than 24 veterans were moved off our streets into safe housing. In one day. These surge efforts are being duplicated in rural parts of Indiana and will be incorporated into our annual Stand Down event in September.
The solution to homelessness is housing with supportive services. We are grateful for the support received from our federal and local partners as well as philanthropic, corporate and individual donors who help make our work possible. Together we are honoring those who sacrificed so much for all of us.
Since 2021, there has been a 51% decrease in veteran homelessness in Indianapolis. While this progress is encouraging, we remain steadfast and mission-focused at HVAF. Our dedicated staff continue to work tirelessly toward our mission to end veteran homelessness. Because after serving our country, no hero should be homeless.•
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Hildebrand is CEO of Helping Veterans and Families of Indiana, known as HVAF.
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