A program that helps people facing eviction in Indianapolis is “woefully short” of the money needed to fully operate in 2027.
That’s according to Judge Kimberly Bacon in the Lawrence Township Small Claims Court. The court oversees the county-wide program that offers free legal aid and helps people find resources such as housing and food.
“We’re working really hard to see if we’re able to find those funds,” Bacon told Mirror Indy.
One place they likely won’t find the money: the city of Indianapolis.
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The city’s Office of Public Health and Safety and the Lawrence Township court merged their two similar eviction programs in early 2026. Along with attorneys, the program includes court navigators, who help people understand the legal process and refer them to other help they might need, such as food and rent assistance.
As part of the merger, the city was responsible for funding.
That worked for 2026, when the Eviction Diversion Program received $1.5 million. Half of that money came from a last-minute funding package.
The 2027 city budget includes $750,000.
Without more money, navigators will go away.
Andrew Merkley, the office’s director, told Mirror Indy he’s helping the judge find other funding, including through philanthropy.
Merkley also said he asked for $2 million in the 2027 budget for eviction prevention in Indianapolis, where landlords filed more than 18,000 evictions through September.
But Merkley said the budget request, which goes to the offices of the mayor and City-County Council, wasn’t approved in full.
“Unfortunately when you have a budget,” Merkley said, “sometimes you have to make challenging decisions. That’s where we’re at right now.”
Mayor Joe Hogsett declined an interview request through a spokesperson, who emailed a statement.
“The Mayor’s Office continues to work in partnership with OPHS to identify additional funding sources, including underspend,” the statement says, “to further support the City’s eviction diversion legal aid efforts in 2027.”
A spokesperson for the council did not respond to Mirror Indy’s questions.
Housing, food, moving or ‘whatever you need’
Tuesday mornings aren’t the busiest in Wayne Township Small Claims Court on the west side.
But with 25 eviction hearings on the schedule Nov. 10, people still needed help. Navigators John-Paul Cosgrove and Rachel O’Bryant were there to make sure they got it.
After setting up at a table, Cosgrove went into the courtroom to tell everyone they could get help with housing, food, moving — “whatever you need.”
“Most people coming to me are going through one of the toughest times of their life,” Cosgrove said.
But Cosgrove and O’Bryant understand this work — and their jobs — may not be here in 2027.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” O’Bryant said.
Throughout the morning, they fielded questions about paperwork and how to find an eviction case online. As part of their job, they also keep track of available resources and even apartments that will accept people with an eviction on their record.
They collect emails and phone numbers to stay in touch.
One client, Dallas Hutson, needed help because he’s being evicted from his mobile home.
Hutson, 29, had questions about a legal document he signed. He sat with his sister, 39-year-old Heather Martin, at a table in the entryway to the court office.
The questions were best for an attorney to answer, Cosgrove said, but that doesn’t mean his work was over.
“In the meantime,” he said, “do you need other assistance?”
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Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers housing and labor. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @ty_fenwick and Bluesky @tyfenwick.bsky.social.
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