INDIANAPOLIS – In the face of Indiana’s unprecedented eviction and housing crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, rural, urban, and suburban Hoosiers from across the state are gathering at the Statehouse to share their stories and demand action from their lawmakers.
According to officials, for too long, a handful of lawmakers and the real estate speculators, corporate developers, and landlords that fund their campaigns have prevented commonsense protections for renters while they jack up rents and destroy affordable options. The group is asking that the Indiana General Assembly protect Hoosier homes by enforcing laws that keep rental units safe for families (SB 230), reforming eviction (SB 233), and fixing the tenant screening processes (SB 385) to help more Hoosiers find housing.
At the press conference on Thursday, January 20th from 11 a.m. until Noon, at the Statehouse in the North Atrium, Hoosier leaders from across the state will share their stories on how these issues directly impact their lives.
Attending the event will be:
- Indianapolis Tenants Rights Union
- Hoosier Action
- Veterans
- Small town and rural folks
- Senior citizens
- Black and brown communities in Indianapolis and beyond
- Healthcare workers
- Single moms
- Hoosiers in recovery
Background:
- Indiana has been the worst state for evictions since the pandemic began, leading the country on the number of evictions filed since March 15, 2020.
- Indianapolis had the 14th highest eviction rate out of 100 American cities tracked by Princeton University’s Eviction Lab
- Indiana evictions are not slowing down. 93,000 Hoosier households, including 125,000 children, are behind on rent and risk eviction, as of Oct. 1, 2021.
- Indiana laws and systems favor landlords and provide minimal protections for tenants:
- Tenants are not provided legal council
- Indiana requires that judges only consider payment of rent on deciding eviction
- Existing Rental assistance programs have been inefficient and ineffective
- The Indiana court system has been slow and ineffective in addressing the crisis.
