Episode 23 - Past, Present & Future: Lillian Herbers-Kelly on Horizon House & Beyond

Homeward Indy kicks off the new year with an insightful interview with Lillian Herbers-Kelly, the Director of Housing at Horizon House. As a longstanding and integral part of the Indianapolis Continuum of Care, Horizon House operates as a day shelter and service center for neighbors experiencing homelessness. Beyond that though, Horizon House also oversees a street outreach team, case management, and a permanent supportive housing program. Lillian and Steve discuss existing programs, as well as some exciting new services and programs in the works, and the complex process of getting access to housing. Find out what the future has in store for one of our most impactful service partners and learn how Lillian came into the work she does today.

Horizon House Website to explore, donate or volunteer: Horizon House | Help Hope Home -

Find links to information about upcoming housing legislation below (This is not an exhaustive list, please see IGA | Bills for 2024 Session (in.gov) for all bills:

HB 1087: PROHIBITED DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING (PACK R) Expands the Indiana fair housing statute to prohibit discrimination on the basis of a person's: (1) source of income; (2) military active duty status; or (3) veteran status. Defines the terms "source of income", "active duty", and "veteran".
HB 1195: RIGHT TO COUNSEL EVICTION TASK FORCE (SHACKLEFORD R) Establishes the access to counsel in eviction task force (task force) to review matters related to the eviction process and potential funding sources to increase a tenant's access to counsel in an eviction proceeding. Sets forth membership, and requires the task force to issue a report to the legislative council not later than November 15, 2024. Provides that the task force expires December 31, 2024.
HB 1199: REPEAL OF ECONOMIC ENHANCEMENT DISTRICT LAW (MCGUIRE J) Repeals the chapter in the Indiana Code authorizing the legislative body of a first class city to establish a special assessment district known as an economic enhancement district.
HB 1413: STATE AND LOCAL POLICIES ON HOMELESSNESS (DAVIS M) Cancels the appropriation in the 2023 budget bill for the state's housing first program and reallocates that appropriation to the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) as follows: (1) Provides that state funds for homelessness must be used for: (A) parking areas; (B) camping facilities; (C) individual shelters; and (D) congregate shelters; and specifies conditions and requirements applicable to those facilities. This impacts housing first programs significantly. A good explainer of the issues is here.
SB 111: ENFORCEMENT OF RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD OBLIGATIONS (TAYLOR G) Provides that in addition to, or instead of, bringing a court action to enforce a statutory obligation of a residential landlord, a tenant may enforce the obligation by doing the following: (1) Providing notice to the landlord, at least 30 days before the tenant's next regular rental payment is due…
Note: One of the rent withholding bills this session. Indiana is one of only six states that does not allow tenants to withhold rent on significant habitability issues.
SB 64: HOUSING MATTERS (FORD J) Requires, before November 1, 2024, the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) to prescribe a statement of the rights of a residential tenant in Indiana. Specifies the contents of the statement. Requir