INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Yesterday, SB 285 ‘Housing Matters’, authored by Sen. Cyndi Carrasco (District 36, Indianapolis) passed the Indiana Senate 29-19, and the bill now moves to the House with Rep. Doug Miller (District 48, Elkhart) serving as its sponsor. The Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition is united in their disappointment and frustration in this development, as the Coalition has consistently opposed similar legislation that will exacerbate burdens on local service providers, hospitals, and jails, and create a new pathway for vulnerable Hoosiers to enter the justice system with a Class C misdemeanor.
This is the third year the Hoosier Housing Coalition has mobilized its partners to oppose legislation that makes it a potential criminal offense for someone to sleep in public spaces, which is broadly identified with a Texas-based think tank, the Cicero Institute. The author of the bill has been explicit in her support of programs that connect people to housing and resources and says this bill “creates a moment” for that work to begin. The bill, however, provides no support or funding for service providers or even county governments which operate local jails, creating a surge in demand under an unfunded mandate.
Service providers express concern that the premise of SB285 ignores the realities and complexities of building the trust required to connect people without shelter to services.
With SB285 moving on to Indiana’s House of Representatives, the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition will continue advocating against this legislation and the harm it would cause Hoosiers experiencing homelessness. The Coalition encourages members of the public to contact their Representatives and urge them to oppose any version of SB 285 that retains the Class C misdemeanor.
Quotes from Leaders of the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition
“I agree with lawmakers that more needs to be done to address unsheltered homelessness in Indiana, but the data shows clearly that fines and penalties are not the answer, and it’s not what people want for their communities. What reduces homelessness is accessible, affordable housing and services that connect people to those resources, and this bill doesn’t provide any support for either. What SB 285 does provide is new pathway for vulnerable people to enter overcrowded jails.”
- Aspen Clemons, Executive Director of Prosperity Indiana
“SB 285 will harm survivors of domestic violence who are attempting to flee unsafe situations by criminalizing sleeping in public spaces. Rather than advancing meaningful solutions to homelessness or investing in critical services and supports, the legislature has chosen to respond with fines and criminalization. This approach will not make our communities safer. It will force survivors to remain in dangerous homes and undermine efforts to help them achieve safety and stability.”
- Laura Berry, Executive Director of Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
“This legislation punishes people for being unhoused and fails to fund diversion, housing or services that would actually keep people off the streets. This approach wastes public dollars and harms our communities as well as the individuals who so desperately need safe, stable housing.”
- Mary Morgan, Executive Director of Heading Home in Bloomington
“Indiana United Ways remains committed to preventing homelessness and working with organizations to provide safe and affordable housing. Rather than incentives for housing, mental health, and substance use disorder programs, which our communities desperately need, SB 285 penalizes individuals experiencing homelessness and would require our organizations to shift resources from keeping Hoosiers off the streets to cover fines and meet court requirements under this bill.”
- Brian Lohsl, Public Policy & Advocacy Strategist of Indiana United Ways
