INDIANAPOLIS — For many low-income Hoosiers and single mothers living with disabilities, finding safe, affordable housing in Indiana has turned into an increasingly insurmountable hurdle.
As rental prices continue to climb state-wide, families relying on fixed incomes are finding themselves trapped in a blind spot—earning slightly too much to qualify for public assistance programs, yet far too little to keep up with the soaring cost of living. Faith Owens, a disabled single mother who relocated her family to Indiana, recently spoke in an interview about the harsh realities facing disabled renters in a landlord-friendly legal environment.
The Burden of Fixed-Income BarriersFrom the moment Owens arrived in Indiana, securing suitable housing was met with financial obstacles. Most market-rate properties require prospective tenants to demonstrate an income equal to three times the monthly rent—a statutory impossibility for many living on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)…