Advancing Housing Solutions Across Greater Indianapolis
Safe, stable housing is more than a basic need — it is the foundation for opportunity, healing, and human flourishing. Without stable housing, mental health, educational success, workforce participation, and long-term wellbeing can all be significantly affected.
Across Indianapolis, rising housing costs, increasing eviction rates, and a shortage of affordable housing continue to create significant challenges for children and families. Yet organizations throughout our city are also demonstrating that meaningful, community-based solutions are possible.
Through grants, convenings, and public education, the Faith & Action Project continues to invest in organizations working across the housing continuum — from prevention and supportive services to long-term pathways out of poverty. For more than a decade, the Faith & Action Project has helped strengthen a collaborative network committed to helping individuals and families build stable futures.
Meeting Young People Where They Are
One of the most urgent dimensions of housing insecurity is youth homelessness, where housing instability often intersects with trauma, foster care involvement, mental health challenges, and economic hardship.
The Faith & Action Project has invested in organizations creating safe and supportive environments for vulnerable youth.
Trinity Haven provides shelter and supportive services for LGBTQ+ young people experiencing housing instability, while also connecting them with education, job training, mental health support, and life skills resources.
Outreach Indy takes a relationship-centered approach, helping young people overcome barriers related to housing, education, and employment while supporting their emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
The Faith & Action Project has also supported Lutheran Child and Family Services and its Pando Aspen Grove initiative, which provides permanent supportive housing for young adults aging out of foster care.
“Housing stability is more than a roof; it is the foundation for healing, hope, and generational change,” shared De’Aundre Williams, Program Manager for Pando.
Removing Barriers Before Crisis Happens
Long-term change requires more than responding after a housing crisis occurs. It also means addressing the systems and barriers that place families at risk.
The Faith & Action Project recently invested in the Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance to expand its Eviction Court Watch initiative and strengthen housing advocacy efforts.
Programs like Eviction Court Watch create opportunities for volunteers to support fairness and transparency while helping connect individuals with legal resources, rental assistance, and mediation services that may prevent displacement.
Housing as a Foundation for Opportunity
Faith & Action grant recipients are also demonstrating how housing becomes more effective when paired with broader supports.
Through the ROCK Initiative, Eastern Star Church combines housing support with workforce development, legal services, and financial coaching.
The Minnie Hartmann Center brings together affordable senior housing, early childhood education, and family services in an innovative intergenerational model.
Meanwhile, Brookside Community Development Corporation provides transitional housing and wraparound support for individuals rebuilding their lives after homelessness, addiction, or incarceration. “Stable housing is the foundation for everything,” shared Executive Director Brandon Andrews. “When someone isn’t worried about where they’re sleeping, they can start investing in themselves, their stability, and their future.”
Building a Community Response
No single organization can solve Indianapolis’ housing challenges alone. Lasting change requires collaboration among congregations, nonprofits, neighborhood organizations, service providers, and community leaders.
Faith & Action grantees are increasingly building stronger referral systems, collaborative partnerships, and connected pathways that help more families access the support they need.
Indianapolis already has organizations leading innovative responses to housing instability. The opportunity before us is to strengthen those efforts through partnership, advocacy, and shared investment.
We invite you to learn more about these organizations and consider how you, your congregation, or your community might support efforts to expand access to safe, stable, and affordable housing throughout Greater Indianapolis.
