Over the past month, we’ve taken a deep dive into our Unhoused in Indiana series to better illustrate the situation that fellow Hoosiers find themselves in. From the most common causes we see for an individual to become unhoused in our state, to the difference between urban and rural services and what being unhoused in these places looks like, to what homelessness looks like in La Porte County; who commonly makes up our unhoused population in our state, as well as myths vs facts about being unhoused in Indiana. We compared these topics locally against national trends to show that Indiana, much like most of the United States, is witnessing an unprecedented rise in all types of homelessness. The goal of this series has been to build greater understanding of the situation so many of our neighbors find themselves in, in hopes of building greater support for those in need.
It’s Not Morality, It’s Math
We kicked off this series laying out the economic challenges and the shortfall that so many in our community face. We showed that to afford a modest 2-bedroom apartment in most of La Porte County, someone would need to work more than 3 full-time jobs at minimum wage. This doesn’t account for any living expenses beyond rent. On July 23rd of this year, the official report showed that the goalpost moved even further. Now, to afford this modest two-bedroom apartment, the hourly rate would be $24.13. This is almost a two-dollar rise from the last figure of $22 per hour.
Simply put, the cost of living, particularly the cost of housing, is outpacing the earning ability for many in our community and across our state.
Unhoused Can Look Different in Urban vs. Rural Areas
We talked a lot about how rural and urban communities rise to meet the challenges of a growing unhoused population, the services available to those who need support, and even what being unhoused looks like.
In rural communities, we showed a concerted effort to keep those at risk of falling into homelessness housed. This support comes from relief agencies, township trustees, and faith communities. This matters because shelters and support services after someone becomes unhoused are harder to access, since these services are often concentrated in urban areas. Homelessness can often look different as well and is most commonly represented by hidden homelessness. People may move in with family or friends to avoid being without shelter. It can also look like living in one’s car.
We also looked at urban communities. Urban communities often have a system, or parts of a support system, in place to help unhoused individuals, such as shelters, job centers, housing support, and other vital connections to services. In urban areas, public transportation may be available, allowing those in need to travel at little to no expense to access needed services. We also showed this in urban areas. It is more common to see unhoused people out on the streets, camping or sleeping rough.
It Isn’t Who Most People Picture
In Indiana, we talked a lot about who is unhoused and who is at the highest risk of becoming unhoused. We also busted the myth that unhoused people don’t work; this is simply untrue. For these individuals, the math simply doesn’t add up no matter how hard one works.
We showed that families are the largest demographic, followed by older adults (55+) and young adults, who are the largest unhoused populations in our state. While any individual who is unhoused is heartbreaking, the shocking fact that unhoused families continue to rise is devastating because we know that generational homelessness is real. In the state of Indiana, as of the publication of this article, the average age of an unhoused individual in the state of Indiana is between 7 and 8 years old.
What the Numbers Don’t Show
Over the past month, we shared facts and figures throughout the series to show this series isn’t opinion; it’s fact. We shared the importance of the Point-in-Time Count and the challenges that missing unhoused individuals in the count creates for funding much-needed support services.
In real life, we showed how our most common unhoused demographics fall into homelessness and went beyond the numbers to illustrate how this happens and truly how common it is. From older adults being priced out of their homes while living on a fixed income, to young adults aging out of the foster care system, to one significant unaccounted-for expense that throws a family’s finances into chaos. Most individuals never want to become unhoused. While the numbers show us who and how many, the emotional impact of losing housing is immeasurable and lasts a lifetime.
The Key Takeaways
For many, being unhoused is not a choice; it’s an affordability crisis. Housing, energy, groceries, and healthcare- across the board, all of these things have seen a drastic rise in the past five years, while the minimum wage in the state of Indiana has not changed since 2009.
Across the state and across the country, shelters like ours stand as a beacon of hope, a place to rest and regroup. That is why we are called Nest, a temporary place of refuge, to rest, heal, regroup, and reconnect to the community with dignity, dedication, and determination. Twenty-five years ago, the community stepped up to meet the need for an overnight men’s shelter, along with our faith communities, donors, and supporters. Since our opening a quarter of a century ago, we have never closed, never not been there as a beacon of warmth, kindness, and hope for those who need it most.
If you would like to be part of the solution or support us through donations, volunteering, or getting in touch, we encourage you to reach out to us at info@nestcommunityshelter.org or call us at 219-276-7582.
Other Posts in the Unhoused In Indiana Series:
