Page 7 - Donor Impact Report 2025 cover and back.pdf
P. 7

LETTER FROM THE CEO
LETTER FROM THE CEO
Emmy Hildebrand
Emmy Hildebrand
It’s hard to look back at 2024 and not immediately think of the Manchester Apartments fire. For many of us, the fire marks time in
much the same way as the pandemic. Before COVID, after COVID. Before the fire, after the fire. In preparing for this update, I took
a step back, reviewing our data from a higher level.
I’m pleased to share that our data confirms what we’ve always known. The solution to homelessness is housing. And, I’ll explain
why.
I know this is an annual report, but I want to share a look back at the last decade in Indianapolis. In 2015, there were 389 veterans
experiencing homelessness on the night of the Point in Time Count, representing 28% of those experiencing homelessness in our
community. In 2024, there were 170 veterans experiencing homelessness, a 57% reduction in 10 years. Additionally, while still
overrepresented in the homeless population, veterans accounted for 12% of those experiencing homelessness.
So, what changed? In 2010, the federal government announced an ambitious plan to end veteran homelessness around the
country that included resources and new programs to expand the tools available to community providers. HVAF harnessed that
initiative locally, and since 2015, we’ve expanded both our rental assistance/rapid rehousing programs and introduced
permanent supportive housing for veterans into our service offerings. Our Strategic Plan calls for us to continue to evolve to offer
effective, relevant programming to veterans and families. Our track record proves we are doing just that.
2024 closed with HVAF providing a record number of services, over 40,000, to 1,346 veterans. In spite of the fire, we stayed on
mission, serving the most vulnerable in our community.
Thanks to your support and partnership, we are rebuilding from the fire. And, more importantly, we are approaching the future
with renewed passion for ending veteran homelessness.
Respectfully,
7 | HVAF











































































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