Housing - 4/17/2025

Outreach Indiana Expands Housing Efforts to Support Youth Experiencing Homelessness

We are excited to share an update on Outreach Indiana’s bold steps toward addressing youth homelessness through innovative housing solutions. With a two-strategy approach, Outreach is laying the foundation for sustainable, supportive housing options for vulnerable young people in our city.

Short-Term Strategy: Scattered Site Housing (2025-2027)

Outreach is launching a scattered site housing model to provide immediate, flexible, and community-based housing solutions. This strategy focuses on acquiring single-family homes, including duplexes and triplexes, in targeted neighborhoods near Outreach’s program centers. By owning and managing these properties, Outreach can offer stability and support while testing and refining its housing approach.

Long-Term Strategy: Real Estate Development (2028 and Beyond)

Looking further ahead, Outreach envisions developing a portfolio of properties that generate income while providing stable housing for youth. As Outreach transitions from short-term solutions to long-term real estate development, the organization is committed to becoming a leader in youth housing initiatives within the city.

Future projects will include larger-scale, multi-family housing developments, such as:

  • A 30-unit project, leveraging tax credits and requiring additional funding.
  • A 15-unit project, with funding opportunities through federal programs such as HOME/CDBG Funds and the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Why This Matters

By implementing this approach, Outreach is not only creating housing but also ensuring that young people have access to services that empower them toward self-sufficiency. This initiative aligns with our mission at St. Luke’s UMC to serve and uplift the most vulnerable members of our community.

We invite you to learn more and explore ways to support this transformative work. Together, we can help break the cycle of homelessness and provide a future of stability and hope.

For more information, visit Outreach Indiana.

Submitted by Kevin Robb


Six Reasons Why Housing Is A Human Right

When our client JaNay is struggling to get her landlord to address widespread mold and a roach infestation, when Curtis is sleeping in his 2012 Chevy after being evicted, and Tanya and her kids can’t even get on the long-closed local subsidized housing waiting list, there is a strong argument that these are all human rights violations. Six strong arguments, in fact.

You can read Fran Quigley's article outlining these arguments on Shelterforce’s site by clicking here.

Submitted by Shelly Clasen