August 23, 2024

Veteran homelessness declines in Indy, but racial disparities persist for Black vets

Veteran Charles Glenn, 64, shops at the Helping Veterans And Families food pantry on Aug. 22, 2024. African American veterans saw a 5% increase in homelessness from last year and made up more than half of the veterans who experienced homelessness in the 2024 Point-In-Time Count. - Abriana Herron / WFYI

Veteran Charles Glenn, 64, shops at the Helping Veterans And Families food pantry on Aug. 22, 2024. African American veterans saw a 5% increase in homelessness from last year and made up more than half of the veterans who experienced homelessness in the 2024 Point-In-Time Count.

Abriana Herron / WFYI

The number of Indianapolis veterans who experience homelessness decreased from 2023, but racial disparities persist.

An annual census of people experiencing homelessness in Marion County on a single night in January, called the Point-in-Time Count, shows veterans experiencing homelessness decreased by 7 percent from 2023.

Emmy Hildebrand, the CEO of Helping Veterans And Families, said the decline means current policies and programs to aid veterans are working.

“We feel very strongly that no hero should be homeless, and we have a lot to offer to veterans who are struggling in our state,” she said. “We want to be a resource for those who deserve it most.”

Veteran homelessness has been on the decline since 2016. However, African American veterans did see a 5 percent increase in homelessness. Indianapolis’s Black veterans also made up more than half of the veterans who experienced homelessness in the PIT count.

“The data is pretty startling,” Hildebrand said.

HVAF, along with other community partners, are committed to reducing the number of Black Indianapolis residents experiencing homelessness 35 percent by 2025, she said.

In order to reach the goal, the organization has reviewed all screening and enrollment documents and aims to remove bias. It is currently working with its diversity, equity and inclusion team to ensure all of its households are offered the same level of service.

“Veterans are more likely to be homeless than non-veterans,” Hildebrand said. “They're more likely to face food insecurity than non-veterans. So as a community, we owe it to our veterans to be here to support them through their hard times.”

HVAF is the largest nonprofit organization in the state dedicated to serving veterans facing homelessness, Hildebrand said. It recently expanded services to veterans in Terre Haute.

Contact WFYI Morning Edition Newscaster and Reporter Abriana Herron at aherron@wfyi.org.

 

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

Indy to appoint ‘homelessness czar’ to prioritize permanent housing
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever eliminated from playoffs after loss to Connecticut
Kelly Krauskopf returns to Indiana Fever as President of Basketball and Business Operations