Displaced veterans struggle to find new home
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An accidental fire destroyed its shelter in downtown Indianapolis, Helping Veterans and Families of Indiana is struggling to rehouse 48 homeless veterans.
Many landlords who won’t accept housing subsidies won’t house HVAF’s clients. The practice is entirely legal in Indiana, and some housing advocates believe it’s becoming more common
When Marine Corps veteran and HVAF client Dion Donnell moved to Indianapolis with his four children, he found out the same subsidies meant to help people find homes can actually hurt their chances at being accepted as a tenant. “It’s almost like you’re begging them. ‘Please, take me in. I have a voucher.’ They don’t want to take the risk.”
When a renter uses a federal subsidy, the property must get an inspection and meet minimum standards of health and safety. If a landlord refuses to accept a voucher, they can avoid basic upkeep of the apartment.
Emmy Hildebrand, the chief executive officer of HVAF of Indiana, also notes that housing subsidies can come with a stigma. “There’s a tremendous amount of bias against individuals using a voucher as a form of payment.”