Affordable housing crisis and eviction epidemic have been wreaking havoc in our Hoosier state for a while. In 2016, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and South Bend ranked 13, 14 and 18 respectively among cities with the highest eviction rates, according to the Evictions Lab report. In those three cities, about 7 in 100 renter homes are evicted every year.
In contrary to popular belief that eviction is a condition of poverty, studies show that evictions lead to financial strains and may cause poverty. Housing stability is imperative for communities to thrive. When individuals and families are forcibly expelled from their homes, they become vulnerable to losing their jobs, dropping out of school, experiencing poor health and developing mental health problems. They lose that sense of community that they once had, which negatively impacts neighborhoods’ quality and the community at large.
While we attempt to understand the scope of this crisis, we want to take a closer look at public policy in Indiana and identify policies that can be instrumental in reducing the number of evictions across the state. We also amplify the crucial work of community organizations in the housing space, including the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, Prosperity Indiana, and the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition. And because faith communities exist to uplift the entire community, IMAN Associates joined hands with multi-faith leaders who came together to form the Greater Indianapolis Multi-faith Alliance (GIMA), which addresses affordable housing, homelessness and evictions. We will continue to raise awareness, advocate and mobilize the community to action.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this crisis. More Hoosiers are facing evictions and its devastating and long-lasting consequences. Our Hoosier state is confronted with widening health, economic and educational disparities and the time to act is NOW!
In contrary to popular belief that eviction is a condition of poverty, studies show that evictions lead to financial strains and may cause poverty. Housing stability is imperative for communities to thrive. When individuals and families are forcibly expelled from their homes, they become vulnerable to losing their jobs, dropping out of school, experiencing poor health and developing mental health problems. They lose that sense of community that they once had, which negatively impacts neighborhoods’ quality and the community at large.
While we attempt to understand the scope of this crisis, we want to take a closer look at public policy in Indiana and identify policies that can be instrumental in reducing the number of evictions across the state. We also amplify the crucial work of community organizations in the housing space, including the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, Prosperity Indiana, and the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition. And because faith communities exist to uplift the entire community, IMAN Associates joined hands with multi-faith leaders who came together to form the Greater Indianapolis Multi-faith Alliance (GIMA), which addresses affordable housing, homelessness and evictions. We will continue to raise awareness, advocate and mobilize the community to action.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this crisis. More Hoosiers are facing evictions and its devastating and long-lasting consequences. Our Hoosier state is confronted with widening health, economic and educational disparities and the time to act is NOW!