United Way reports rehousing 32 people, outlines prevention, tiny-house and landlord strategies

Mark Stewart, president of the United Way of Bartholomew County, told the City Council on April 11 that the county’s homelessness initiative is working with 121 people and has rehoused 32 individuals while preserving housing for 39 others.

Stewart and Kathy King, director of impact for United Way of Bartholomew County, briefed the council on the group’s three-pronged strategy: prevent homelessness before it occurs, optimize the homeless-response system, and increase the supply of affordable housing in the price range someone emerging from homelessness could afford (United Way cited a target under $700 per month and said a $500 monthly rent would be preferable).

Stewart said an additional 50 people are in active case management. Of the 71 people who have been rehoused or had their housing preserved, 58 are employed and 13 receive Social Security or Social Security Disability. United Way is working with legal-aid partners, Indiana Legal Services and a former local magistrate, to increase legal representation at eviction hearings and to explore eviction-sealing procedures when appropriate.

On housing supply, Stewart said the initiative has discussed tiny-house models and permanent supportive housing. He described two tiny-house models observed in other cities: permanent-foundation small homes (about 400 square feet) intended as long-term supportive units, and smaller non-permanent units (roughly 80–200 square feet) used as temporary shelter. United Way is also pursuing a permanent supportive housing development in the 18–20 unit range with Volunteers of America.

The presenters described active outreach and partnerships with several city departments and local organizations — including Community Development, the Columbus Police Department, code enforcement, public works, the housing authority, Love Chapel and the engagement center — to coordinate first response and case management. Stewart said volunteers who have built trust with the unhoused population play a key role in engagement and referrals.

Council members asked about work with families and children; Stewart said most people living outdoors or in vehicles are adults, while the prevention work often involves families identified by the school corporation under the McKinney‑Vento process. He said the United Way receives about two referrals a week from the schools and that school-based prevention is important to breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty.

Stewart acknowledged challenges: securing identification documents, addressing mental-health and substance-use barriers, and the labor required to prepare people to move into and sustain housing. He said United Way and partners have piloted a process with code enforcement and other city staff to avoid immediate disposals of personal documents during encampment cleanups and to provide more time and outreach before clearing sites.

There was no formal council action on the update; council members thanked United Way for the work and funding provided by the city.