Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute

10/15/2026

Our latest publication, "Listening to Hoosiers: Mothers Navigating Family & the Workforce," highlights how paid family and medical leave would have made a meaningful difference in mothers' ability to recover, care for their babies, and return to the workforce with greater stability.

➡️ Read our full report here: https://buff.ly/KdKuG4N

10/15/2026

Our latest "Listening to Hoosiers: Mothers Navigating Family & the Workforce" uplifts the voices of moms navigating the difficult choice between spending precious time with their family and earning the income their families need.
📌 https://buff.ly/KdKuG4N

10/14/2026

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently published a proposed rule open for public comment. This rule would have significant negative impacts on the current housing provided to those experiencing chronic homelessness in the state of Indiana. Take action and comment on this proposed rule before the deadline of Oct. 13th! Click the link here to submit a comment to HUD: https://buff.ly/UE8gCFu
We have provided some supportive guidance on how to write a comment here: https://buff.ly/naPYbsH

10/13/2026

For many Hoosiers, keeping the lights on isn't just about paying a bill. It can be a matter of health and well-being. Our latest “Listening to Hoosiers” shares firsthand experiences with high energy costs and the difficult decisions people are forced to make.

⚡️ Listening to Hoosiers: Impact of Energy Burdens on Hoosiers' Health https://buff.ly/JcRCglN

10/12/2026

Energy affordability is more than an economic issue; it's a health issue. From relying on electricity for medical equipment to living in poorly insulated homes, Hoosiers shared how energy burdens affect their everyday lives.

🔗 Listening to Hoosiers: Impact of Energy Burdens on Hoosiers' Health
https://buff.ly/JcRCglN

10/11/2026

TAKE ACTION: HUD is only supposed to be allowed to provide bonuses for strategies that are proven effective at reducing homelessness; there must be supporting evidence and an opportunity for public comment to provide these bonuses. Currently, the strategies that HUD is pushing are NOT proven or backed by evidence. The comment period is open until October 13th. It is imperative that HUD hear directly from YOU about the claims they are making in this notice, and that providers tell HUD about the solutions they know work. Comment here: https://buff.ly/yXGn7by
Need some help/guidance on how to write a comment? Check out some guidance here: https://buff.ly/naPYbsH

This notice seeks public comment on activities HUD proposes to incent through the Continuum of Care (CoC) program. These activities are proven to be effective at reducing homelessness or preventing homelessness, and HUD invites public comment on these proposed activities before incenting...

10/10/2026

What happens when a utility bill competes with food, rent, medicine, or other basic needs? Our latest “Listening to Hoosiers” highlights those experiences.

⚡️ Listening to Hoosiers: Impact of Energy Burdens on Hoosiers' Health https://buff.ly/JcRCglN

10/09/2026

To the Community,

This is my last day as director of the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute.

It's hard to put into words what this role, this team, and this community have meant to me. I started at the Institute as an intern in 2016. Sitting in committee hearings and thinking about the impact those policymakers' choices would have on our lives, I knew it was a place I felt called to understand and try to change.

That journey has shown me some of the best and the worst of humanity. Today, I'll focus on the best: an incredible team I am so sad to lose, an advisory council full of wise and thoughtful humans who care deeply about service to others, a community of advocates who band together to make the world better, supportive funders and partners who made the work possible, and YOU, our network of Hoosiers who signed up to be here because you care about your families and neighbors. I have said many times that the best part of the work is the people it brings into your lives.

One of the hardest parts of the work is living out the values and positions you take. My choice to leave at this time reflects my commitment to those values and to standing with and for each other, toward systems and policies that allow people to thrive.

I have listened to a lot of music over these past difficult weeks, and one song that feels particularly relevant in this moment is "For Good."

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn, and we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them, and we help them in return. I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you.

I do believe I have been changed for the better, and because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

I want to offer a parting thank you to everyone who has changed me for good.

10/08/2026

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently published a proposed rule open for public comment. This rule would have significant negative impacts on the current housing provided to those experiencing chronic homelessness in the state of Indiana. Now is the time to ensure your members of Congress hear your perspective on this proposed rule! Find your lawmakers here:

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently published a proposed rule - open for public comment - that would have significant negative impacts on the current housing provided to those experiencing chronic homelessness in the state of Indiana. This proposed rule would divert a...

10/08/2026

Farewell Lauren!

Lauren has fought incredibly hard for unseen Hoosiers - and we suspect she still will, even though her time at the Institute is coming to an end.

Lauren started as an intern at the Institute during COVID-19, and navigated all of the chaos and disruptions of that time with grace and professionalism.

She agreed to join part-time as she wrapped up her PhD, and her diligence, thoughtfulness, and passion for the work – especially as someone who grew up in poverty – shown through.

The day she delivered outstanding testimony on child labor laws under extremely tense conditions, she also decided to join as a full-time analyst. Over the past several years, she’s shown herself to be responsible, dedicated, smart, and effective. She’s been a member of the leadership team here and thinks deeply not only about her work, but also about how to grow an organization like the Institute.

Lauren’s last day here is October 9th. As a feisty advocate, we know she won’t be out of the statehouse hallways for long, and we are truly excited to see what she does in her next role.