INDIANAPOLIS — According to the Coalition for Homeless Intervention and Prevention (CHIP), the number of individuals experiencing homelessness rose slightly from 2023. Data from their Point in Time (PIT) Count on January 24, 2024 reveals that 1,701 individuals were unhoused on that night, a 5% increase from the year before. Of those, 1,167 were in emergency shelters, 195 were in transitional housing, and 339 were unsheltered. The majority of individuals were men (62%), and Black (53%). The age group most likely to be unhoused were individuals ages 55-64 (19%), with only 6% from 18-24 and 65 and older.
The number of homeless individuals remains extremely high, according to the report — triple the number surveyed in 2019. The data also does not reflect the number of individuals who are forced to “couch surf” with friends, and other arrangements.
Most often, the individuals surveyed stated that the reason they were homeless was a lack of income and job loss.
CHIP noted that about 40% of households in Marion County cannot cover cost of living expenses (shelter, utilities, food), and the majority of residents renting earned under $50,000 in 2022. Evictions and foreclosures were also cited, and a lack of housing available for rent or sale.