Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance

Evictions and homelessness in Indianapolis are rising dramatically. Those most affected by insecure housing in Indianapolis are already underserved. Black families, especially single mothers, are disproportionately represented in eviction court and homelessness. These inequities guide our focus on community driven approaches that promote economic mobility and overall community well-being.

GIMA aims to address the evictions and homelessness crises in Indianapolis and surrounding counties by strengthening the systems, relationships, and community capacity needed to support long-term housing stability. GIMA has become a model of faith community engagement in civic efforts. Other cities, including San Francisco and Louisville, are already engaging with GIMA to rethink faith-community collaboration, and we are developing relationships with partners who see GIMA as a model for community engagement.

Funds are needed in three program areas:

1. The Indiana Eviction Justice Network is GIMA’s Eviction Court Watching program. Court watchers are volunteers who use the IEJN app, http://inevictionjustice.org, to select dockets and enter the data they collect in eviction court. Ongoing development and support are always an issue.

2. Streets To Home Indy, Following the screening of Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness in August of 2024, GIMA led a faith community effort to launch a true Housing First homelessness solution in the city of Indianapolis. Dubbed Streets To Home Indy, this community-led initiative was launched in July of 2025 with the goal of ending chronic homelessness in Indianapolis. GIMA volunteers provide move-in kits to all newly housed residents.

3. Advocacy, GIMA leverages its diverse faith community relationships to organize advocates for safe, affordable, equitable, and secure housing access in the greater Indianapolis area. Advocacy efforts include participation in city and state homelessness groups, coalition building and participation, data collection and dissemination, and direct lobbying of Indiana legislators. We cannot change the systemic issues that lead to evictions and homelessness without changing Indiana law.