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

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.