Following a Decade of Housing Advocacy: John Vander Wagen, A Founding Member’s Reflection
As one of the founding members of Homeward Bound Villages, Mr. John Vander Wagen is preparing to step down after nearly a decade of dedicated service; we sat down with him to reflect on his journey, the challenges faced, and his hopes for the future of affordable housing in our community.
When asked about his initial vision for Homeward Bound Villages, he speaks candidly about the early days. “We were naive,” he admits, reflecting on their initial assumption that the community would readily embrace affordable housing initiatives. The reality proved far more complex, with numerous obstacles emerging, such as restrictive regulations on small home construction, a surprising lack of community support, and evolving housing needs that require constant adaptation.
Despite these challenges, Homeward Bound Village’s impact on the community has been significant and tangible. One of the organization’s most meaningful achievements was its partnership with Keys to Hope Resource Center. “We did this because we recognized that people needed affordable housing today and could not wait for us to build,” John said. Through this collaboration, Homeward Bound Villages provided crucial first month’s rent assistance to individuals transitioning out of homelessness. “From late 2019, we provided housing support to 56 individuals and families while working towards becoming developers of our smaller affordable homes,” he notes. This program continued until 2023, when rising prices and diminishing rental options in Michigan City made it unsustainable.
Reflecting on changes in the housing landscape over his tenure, he observes that while zoning regulations and development patterns have remained largely unchanged, there’s a promising shift in perspectives. He notes smaller homes are beginning to be embraced by those in younger generations who see “smaller” as a way to reduce impact on the environment. This shift towards smaller homes highlights a potential pathway forward to secure needed zoning and other legal changes.
When discussing the relationships that have sustained him through this work, he speaks warmly of the emotional support and encouragement he received, particularly from his nephew. These conversations have been instrumental in shaping both his personal vision and the organization’s direction. His nephew also provided a significant financial commitment to the organization, making it possible for Homeward Bound Villages to sustain operations while fundraising for the future. John noted that this is a reminder that advocacy work, while often challenging, is strengthened by meaningful personal connections.
“You must care about your neighbors.”
John Vander Wagen
Looking to the future, his message to the next generation of housing advocates is both clear and urgent. “You must care about your neighbors,” he emphasizes, pointing to the pressing need for new approaches to housing. He highlights a stark reality in Michigan City, where new developments start at $295,000, resulting in monthly mortgage payments between $1,500 and $2,100—far beyond what many community members can afford.
His parting advice calls for systematic change: “Zoning laws need to change. Part of any new development needs to have a champion to advocate for smaller square footage that is affordable as part of the neighborhood. Affordable housing needs to be included as a required component of the all-new development being built in our community. There’s an obligation to the community to have housing that is accessible to the entire community.” It’s a challenge to future advocates to ensure that affordable, safe homes remain accessible to all living on low incomes.
As this chapter closes, his legacy reminds us that while the path to affordable housing may be challenging, the impact on individual lives makes the journey worthwhile. John’s decade of service has laid a foundation for future advocates to build upon, working toward a community where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing.
On behalf of the entire Homeward bound board of directors, we would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to John for his years of dedicated service to our organization. John sets a prime example of advocacy, education, and action in the nonprofit sector. Our community as a whole has benefited from having John as an active community member. We want to wish John a very happy retirement and best wishes. Thank you for your service, John.
