According to Prosperity Indiana and the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), Indiana has a shortage of over 137,000 affordable homes for its most vulnerable renters. That's 137,000 families and individuals in our communities who are one rent increase or one unexpected expense away from losing the stability they depend on.
At Buckingham Foundation, affordable housing has always felt personal. As an organization rooted in the belief that a company built on community should give back to the communities it calls home, we know what it means to build a place where people can thrive. And we know this: without a stable, affordable place to call home, everything else becomes harder.
The Gap Is Real — and It's Growing
The average Hoosier renter earns $18.05 per hour. To afford a modest two-bedroom apartment in Indiana, that same renter needs to earn $22.18 per hour, according to Prosperity Indiana. That $4.13 gap puts real pressure on families already stretched thin, forcing difficult choices between groceries and rent, medication and utilities, or school supplies and keeping the lights on.
When housing costs consume more than 30% of a household's income, instability ripples into every part of life. Affordable housing isn't a luxury, it’s a necessity.
What Stability Makes Possible
When a family has a safe, stable, affordable home, the difference is tangible.
Kids can stay enrolled in the same school, build friendships, and focus on learning. Parents can show up consistently for work, build savings, and pursue better opportunities. Seniors can age with dignity in their own communities. Individuals recovering from illness, job loss, or hardship have a foundation from which to rebuild.
Home is where health begins, where education takes root, and where economic mobility starts. That's why we've consistently invested in organizations like Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, Horizon House, and Habitat for Humanity. Their work isn't just about four walls and a roof; it's about giving people stability to move forward.
Why Buckingham Foundation Shows Up for This Work
Buckingham Companies has spent decades building communities, and the Buckingham Foundation was created to ensure that the people living in those communities (especially the most vulnerable) are not left behind.
Over our 20-year history, we've given more than $5.3 million to organizations across Indianapolis, Nashville, and beyond. Community and economic development has been the backbone of that work, and affordable housing sits at the heart of it.
Investing in affordable housing is one of the most impactful things we can do for the long-term health of our communities.
How You Can Be Part of the Solution
The housing gap won't close on its own. It takes advocates, donors, volunteers, and organizations willing to believe everyone deserves a place to call home.
Whether you're new to this issue or have been in the work for years, there's a role for you. Support organizations doing the work on the ground. Advocate for policies that expand affordable housing in your community.
