INDIANA — In a direct effort to address the rising rates of housing instability across the state, Indiana officials and advocacy groups have officially launched a series of listening sessions and a statewide survey aimed at improving the lives of unhoused youth and families.
The initiative seeks to gather firsthand testimony from those who have navigated the shelter system or faced housing insecurity. Organizers say the data collected will be used to fundamentally “shape programs and policies” to ensure Indiana’s social safety net is actually meeting the needs of its most vulnerable residents.
The project is specifically targeting three key groups for feedback:
- Youth and Young Adults (YYA): Individuals who have experienced homelessness independently.
- Families: Parents or guardians who have struggled with housing instability.
- Service Providers: Staff and volunteers at shelters, non-profits, and government agencies who see the crisis’s front lines daily.
The state has provided two primary avenues for Hoosiers to share their experiences:
- Online Survey: A digital questionnaire designed to capture data on service gaps and barriers to housing.
- Listening Sessions: Scheduled forums (both in-person and virtual) where participants can speak directly about their experiences in a safe, structured environment.
Organizers are urging all eligible Hoosiers to make their voices heard quickly. The survey window is brief, with a final completion deadline of March 31st.
This information is vital. Officials aren’t just looking for numbers; they are looking for the lived experiences that tell them which programs are working and which ones need to be re-imagined.
