Our partners at the Coalition for Homeless Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) recently released the results of the 2024 Point in Time Count.

The Point in Time Count is conducted every January as required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This count allows communities to better understand the number of individuals experiencing homelessness. While not a perfect tool, this data is relied upon to develop, fund, and implement programs and to measure progress in the effort to end homelessness around the country.

I want to highlight a few data points from this year’s count:

-1,701 individuals experiencing homelessness, which is a 5% increase from 2023

-170 veterans experiencing homelessness, which is a 7% decrease from 2023

-339 individuals living unsheltered

-53% of veterans counted were African Americans, compared to 30% of Marion County residents

Of the 170 veterans counted on January 24, 28 veterans were living unsheltered. Veterans remain overrepresented among those experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis.

10% of those experiencing homelessness in our community are veterans, while only 5.9% of Marion County residents served in the military. It’s important to note that any veterans of the National Guard or Reserve who have not served in an active-duty status were not included as veterans for the purposes of this count.

There is also similar racial disparity among veterans experiencing homelessness. 53% of veterans experiencing homelessness in our community are African American.

HVAF is an active participant in a community goal to reduce the number of black Indianapolis residents experiencing homelessness by 35% by 2025. We have been part of collective efforts to review assessment and referral processes to ensure access to housing is equitable in our community. Internally, we’ve reviewed all our screening and enrollment documents to remove any bias, and our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is working with program staff to implement a review process to ensure all households served by HVAF are offered the same level of services.

Other key takeaways from this year’s report include that 90% of those living unsheltered were Indianapolis residents when their homelessness began. And lack of income and job loss were the top contributing factors.

So, what does this data really mean?

While there is some good news with the reduction in veteran homelessness, there remains much work to do to end veteran homelessness in Indianapolis. Comprehensive strategies are needed to address the lack of affordable housing, mental health and substance use crisis, and unemployment for the most vulnerable veterans in our community.

Thankfully, with your support, we are making great progress. Last year, HVAF served 1,349 veterans in our housing, employment, mental health, and basic needs assistance programs. But there is still work to be done! We are grateful for your partnership in offering housing, hope and self-sufficiency to homeless and at-risk veterans in Indiana.
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