Advocacy Matters: Supporting Partners In Housing

At Partners In Housing, our mission is to provide housing and supportive services to the unhoused, helping them on their journey to self-sufficiency. However, our ability to fulfill this mission relies heavily on funding and community support.

A recent report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) highlights the detrimental effects of criminalizing homelessness. The report shows that criminalization not only fails to address the root causes of homelessness but also exacerbates the crisis by deepening existing racial inequities and making it harder for individuals to access necessary services.

Moreover, the GIMA legislative update underscores the importance of advocacy in shaping policies that can positively impact our community. Legislative changes can significantly influence the availability of resources and support for those experiencing homelessness.

House Bill 1662 is currently being discussed in the Indiana legislature. This bill aims to address homelessness by providing state funds for parking areas, camping facilities, individual shelters, and congregate shelters. It also specifies that state funds used for permanent housing must assist individuals with substance use, mental health treatment, and other services, including short-term housing. However, it prohibits the use of state funds for the Indiana Housing First program unless the expenditure aligns with the bill's provisions.

The NAEH report does not support the need for such legislation by emphasizing that criminalization policies do not solve homelessness and instead create barriers to accessing essential services. By advocating against House Bill 1662, we can help shift the focus from criminalization to providing comprehensive support and housing solutions.

We urge our community to join us in advocating for policies that prioritize housing and supportive services over criminalization.

By raising our voices, we can help create a more just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

To read the GIMA legislative Update and see all the ways to advocate for our most vulnerable, visit: Legislative Update 2/7/25

For more information on House Bill 1662, you can visit the Indiana General Assembly website.

lgiscan.com

To read the full NAEH report, "Criminalizing Worsens the Crisis," please visit the National Alliance to End Homelessness website. CriminalizingWorsensTheCrisis_NAEH_2-4-25.pdf