Pack passes amendment to protect Hoosier veterans from eviction

Monday, April 7, State Rep. Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) successfully amended Senate Bill 433 to protect Hoosier veterans from eviction by requiring courts to stay an eviction proceeding of a veteran who demonstrates that they have applied for housing assistance with the U.S. or Indiana Departments of Veterans Affairs. This comes after a devastating fire at an Indianapolis veteran shelter that displaced over 45 veterans. 

“I am so proud to have passed this critical protection for Hoosier veterans. After my own six years of active-duty military service, I found myself in a very difficult position like so many others. If this measure saves just one veteran from hardship, I will be satisfied. 

“Those who dedicated their careers and put their lives on the line for our state and our nation deserve the utmost support from the government. That includes making sure they have their most basic needs accounted for, like access to safe and reliable shelter. 

“This measure will save veterans who have been through so much for their country from the stress of eviction and facing homelessness. I want to thank my colleagues across the aisle for working with me to expand state support for our Hoosier heroes.

“Right now, instead of being treated like heroes, both federal and state governments are cutting programs that serve veterans. Earlier this month, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) announced that it is ending the program that provided families with emergency rental assistance to prevent evictions during the pandemic six months early. Instead of using all of the money allocated to help Hoosiers, we shut off the program and are giving the money back to the federal government. At a time when so many are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, the least we can do is make sure our Hoosier veterans are supported.”