In La Porte County, a silent crisis is evident. Many of our neighbors are struggling with a burden that affects every aspect of their lives: the lack of affordable housing. This challenge is not unique to La Porte County, but it is alarming to see the number of residents that are impacted by this issue. At Homeward Bound Villages, we’ve been working tirelessly to address this issue, and the statistics we’ve uncovered are both shocking and heartbreaking. Today, we want to share current statistics from the Indiana Housing Dashboard and the La Porte County Vibrant Communities Study.
Did you know that 48.3% of La Porte County renters spend more than 30% of their household income on rent? This isn’t just a number – it represents families and individuals facing impossible choices every month. Do they pay rent or buy groceries? Keep the lights on or visit the doctor? No one should have to make these decisions, yet for nearly half of our renting population, this is their reality.
The impact of this financial strain goes beyond just empty wallets. According to a study by the National Institute of Health, there’s a direct link between housing instability and poor health outcomes. When families are forced to allocate a disproportionate amount of their income to rent, they often delay or forgo necessary medical care. This leads to increased stress, mental health problems, and a higher risk of disease. The health of our neighbors impacts our entire community, and when we have healthy residents, we have healthy communities.
But the crisis doesn’t stop there. The Indiana Housing Dashboard reports that 65% of renters with extremely low incomes are cost-burdened. Even more alarming, 76% of renters with household incomes between 30-50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) are in the same boat. These aren’t just low-income families – these are our essential workers, our service industry employees, and our young professionals starting their careers.
Currently, La Porte County is facing a projected deficit of over 1,400 low-income rental units. That’s 1,400 families who are left without a safe, affordable place to call home and are currently housing insecure. Furthermore, 25% of La Porte County households earn more than the Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living for this country. These are individuals and families who are doing everything right but still can’t make ends meet due to the high cost of housing.
At Homeward Bound Villages, we believe that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. That’s why we’re committed to developing cooperative housing communities that address not just the need for affordable housing to those with very low incomes but also provide the supportive environment necessary for our residents to thrive. Healthy neighborhoods make for healthy communities for all residents.
Our cooperative model does more than just provide a roof over people’s heads. It creates a community where residents can prioritize their health, their children’s education, and their financial stability. By providing affordable housing, we’re giving individuals the breathing room they need to focus on other crucial aspects of their lives and set themselves up for success.
But we can’t do this alone. The housing crisis in La Porte County is a community problem that requires a community solution. We need your support, whether through volunteering, donations, or simply spreading awareness about this critical issue.
Together, we can build a La Porte County where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing, where families don’t have to choose between rent and medical care, where our essential workers can afford to live in the communities they serve, and where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, not just survive.
Join us in our mission. When we solve the affordable housing crisis, we’re not just building homes—we’re building a stronger, healthier, more vibrant community for all.