Supportive services at Horizon House

In the course of the past year, I've spoken with many people who are surprised to find that the number of homeless people in Indianapolis is growing. Many of these people have been faithful supporters of Wheeler Mission, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and other great organizations that they assume are taking care of our city's homeless folks.

As I talk to people, they seem to pretty much universally believe that if the homeless would just use these services, then they will be able to get their life back on track and within a few months will have a nice apartment in Pike Township, a used foreign car, and a manager position at a fast-food restaurant. After all, if the genius Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness could become a multi-millionaire, then a normal person should at least be able to get off the street and into a happy lower-middle-class standard of living.

In the Sept 11 Indianapolis Star, Carter Wolf wrote a very nice piece titled "Programs for homeless work if funded, supported" This article provides a succinct snapshot of the scope of homelessness in Indy. It also provides an overview of the supportive services that are currently available to homeless and near-homeless folks here in Indy.

I wanted to re-post the following reasons that Mr. Wolf gives to explain why the number of people without homes in Indy seems to be growing:

1. The organizations listed above (e.g., Wheeler Ministries, Holy Family shelter, Second Helpings, food pantries, the Homeless Initiative Project, Midtown Mental Health) are pressed for funding.
2. Minimum-wage and part-time jobs no longer provide enough for housing.
3. There are fewer homeless programs statewide than five years ago.
4. There are fewer case managers at all agencies to assist the homeless than five years ago.
5. There are fewer emergency shelter beds than three years ago.
6. There is only one day shelter left.
7. There is an increase in the number of individuals being released from incarceration.
8. It is more difficult for mental health providers for the homeless to receive Medicaid.
9. Section 8 vouchers are so difficult for this population to get, it is rarely is worth the effort.
10. There is a shortage of beds for indigent detox and extended addiction support.
11. There is a shortage of clean, safe low-income housing.
12. HUD, the governmental agency that provides most of the homeless support dollars, has shifted away from service-only programs such as Horizon House (currently supporting 40 percent of our budget).

Take a look at #12. Horizon House, which seems to be the first place people now go when they need resources to get off or to stay off the streets, could be losing 40% of its funding. You think there are a lot of homeless-looking people on the streets now? If the day center and supportive services that they provide are reduced, do not be at all surprised to see even more.

Please take a look at Horizon House and see if it might be something you, your friends, a class, or your church community would be interested in supporting.