A recent report reveals that Indiana, particularly Marion County (Indianapolis), is experiencing a significant rise in homelessness, with numbers nearing the highest levels seen in the past 15 years. This escalation is part of a national trend but reflects especially urgent local challenges with housing, chronic homelessness, and racial disparities.
Steep Increase in Homelessness: Key Statistics
According to the 2025 point-in-time count conducted in January, 1,815 individuals were experiencing homelessness in Marion County, a 7% increase from the previous year and the second-highest number recorded in the last decade. The last comparable spike was in 2021, with 1,928 homeless individuals counted. More broadly, Indiana’s statewide homeless population is estimated at 6,285.
1.) The number of people facing chronic homelessness—those with disabling conditions who have been without stable housing for over a year—rose by 24%, totaling 401 residents.
2.) Family homelessness is up significantly; over a quarter of the homeless population are families with children, including a 14% increase in children under 18 experiencing homelessness…