Breanca Merritt
Clinical Assistant ProfessorFounding Director, Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, IU Public Policy Institute
ude[dot]iupui[at]acnaerb
Assessing Homelessness Prevention and Housing Instability in Marion County
We engaged in research with support from the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) to assess trends in factors associated with housing instability and to understand the network of organizations that could address the prevention of homelessness from a macro-level perspective. We used a mixed-methods approach to identify evidence-based programs and practices that prevent homelessness, spatially and statistically analyze trends in housing affordability and evictions; capture perspectives of local residents' experiences with housing instability; and identify which populations would benefit most from efforts to prevent housing instability. This work identified that this issue is complex, especially with regard to race, neighborhood crime, and Indiana's rental policy environment; and that related efforts require actors from multiple sources (e.g. criminal justice system, schools, health care providers) to effectively address housing instability in Indianapolis. The report has resulted in an initial community conversation with local stakeholders and homeless serving organizations about evictions and the first of multiple policy briefs about the issue. Multiple organizations are using the initial findings to pursue funding opportunities and inform organizational planning.