As of January 2022, Indiana had an estimated 5,449 experiencing homelessness on any given day, as reported by Continuums of Care to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Of that Total, around 2,343 were family households, more than 572 were Indiana Military Veterans, 206 were unaccompanied young adults (aged 18-24), and 215 were individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

For many years, groups small and large, faith based and community-based organizations grappled by themselves with the issues surrounding veteran homelessness. In March 2016, the Northwest Indiana Veterans Village opened with 44 one-bedroom units. Since the building of the Veterans Village, there has not been any construction dedicated to housing Homeless Veterans.

Likewise, there is a 3-year waiting list for low-income applicants who have applied for affordable housing as a result of the lack of construction to build more quality affordable housing in the City of Gary. The Gary Housing Authority (GHA) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is currently closed. It was last open for one week in May, 2017. There is no notice of when this waiting list will reopen.

Based on information supplied by the Gary Housing Authority, there are 4,844 families/applicants on the public housing waitlist. There are also 4,425 families on the housing choice voucher list. However, the waiting list for Section 8 Vouchers show about 1,359 families on the waiting that are listed as disabled individuals. The City of Gary estimates that there is an unmet need for public housing resources, particularly for tenant-based vouchers, units targeted towards families, and smaller families with children. The demand for affordable housing continues to outweigh the supply.

Another need that influences affordable housing in Gary is housing rehabilitation costs.

Many homes are in need of maintenance which is often expensive and beyond the capacity of many to afford. As these homes deteriorate, the “housing quality” continues to be a major issue in the City. Dilapidation of housing stock and high vacancy rates appear to impact the overall City’s development and revitalization. According to 2019 Census Bureau’s ACA estimates, the City of Gary’s vacancy rate has continued to grow. This rate stands at more than 28% in 2019. Census data indicates that about 11,704 units are vacant in the City of Gary. Thus, there is a great need for new construction Green Energy-Efficient Affordable Housing.