Partners in Housing celebrates three decades of providing homeless assistance in Indianapolis and Kokomo

Indianapolis, Indiana – For the past thirty years, Partners in Housing has provided services to homeless individuals in Indianapolis.

Six hundred individuals in Indianapolis and Kokomo receive services and long-term housing alternatives from the nonprofit. The organization began by purchasing its first piece of real estate in downtown Indianapolis in 1996, and since then it has expanded, housing hundreds of people at once.

Kokomo has one property, but Indianapolis has eleven. While studio apartments make up a large number of the properties, some also offer one or two bedrooms to accommodate different customer demands.

Rent and a lease are required for these units.

“This is what we call permanent supportive housing so they have their own apartment and they come to us and we provide services for them, case management,” said Jennifer Green, executive director of Partners in Housing.

As to the most recent point-in-time count, over 1,600 individuals in Indianapolis are facing homelessness every night.

To support the maintenance of a stable housing situation, more is needed than just an apartment. “We help them with everything from life skills to getting health insurance if they don’t have it, signing them up for any disability benefits they might not be eligible for, and connecting them to mental health and behavioral health agencies,” explained Green.

In order to assist stop evictions, Green said Indiana needs greater protections. According to Green, “Indiana is a very landlord-friendly state.” Our approach at Partners in Housing is distinct. If you are unable to pay your rent, we do not simply kick you out. We utilize payment plans in our operations.

Black people make approximately 52% of Indianapolis’ homeless population; the foundation has been a part of an initiative to cut that number by 25% by 2025. According to Green, “Black Americans get evicted more than anyone else.”

Another two hundred individuals who reside in privately owned apartment buildings are provided with services by Partners in Housing.

At the Glenmoor apartments, Partners in Housing will be providing more services to young people who are homeless. According to Green, the number of homeless people between the ages of 18 and 24 has been rising.