Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana HB1109: Homeless veterans initiative shelter program.
Status: In committee, January 12, 2026
Establishes the Hoosier homeless veteran initiative for the purpose of providing a means for homeless veterans to have access to temporary shelter during the veteran's rehabilitation. Provides that the initiative shall be coordinated and administered by the Indiana department of veterans' affairs (department) in consultation with the Indiana department of health. Requires each homeless shelter with at least 25 beds to reserve at least one bed out of every 25 beds for a homeless veteran. Provides that a homeless shelter or other entity may apply to the department to become a participating shelter. Provides that a participating shelter shall receive grants from the department. Provides that a participating shelter shall provide food and housing and other services prescribed by the department for a participating veteran for a period consisting of the lesser of: (1) two years; or (2) the period necessary for the veteran to complete the requirements necessary for the participating veteran to receive a housing voucher in accordance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) HUD-VASH program. Provides that a homeless veteran who is not married may request to become a participating veteran in a manner prescribed by the department. Provides that the homeless veteran shall not be required to test negative on a drug or alcohol test to obtain initial placement in a participating shelter. Requires that a participating veteran receive services and meet certain requirements to remain eligible for placement in a participating facility.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety.
From the introduced text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety. SECTION 1. IC 10-17-17 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Chapter 17. Hoosier Homeless Veteran Initiative Sec. 1. The following definitions apply throughout this chapter: (1) "Department" refers to the Indiana department of veterans' affairs established by IC 10-17-1-2. (2) "Homeless shelter" means a publicly or privately operated facility that is designated to provide temporary living arrangements, (B) transitional housing; or (C) hotels or motels paid for by charitable organizations or government programs. (3) "Homeless veteran" refers to a veteran who has served at least six (6) months in the armed forces of the United States (as defined in IC 5-9-4-3) or national guard (as defined in 2026 IN 1109--LS 6488/DI IC 5-9-4-4) and is homeless. (4) "Initiative" refers to the Hoosier homeless veteran initiative established by section 2 of this chapter. (5) "Participating shelter" means a public or privately operated facility that is approved under section 4 of this chapter to provide a homeless veteran separate temporary living quarters (B) an apartment; or (C) a group of rooms or a single room. (6) "Participating veteran" means a veteran who is not married who agrees to be placed in a participating shelter under section 5 …
Sponsors
- Craig Haggard (R, HD-057) · primary sponsor
- Judy, Chris (R)
- Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D, HD-032)
Latest actions
- : Representatives Judy, Garcia Wilburn added as coauthors
- : Authored by Representative Haggard
- : First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety
Subjects: PROPERTY; Homelessness, AGENCIES; Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA), SOCIAL SERVICES; Housing, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COUNCILS; Newly Created, VETERANS
Common questions
- What is HB1109?
- HB1109 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Homeless veterans initiative shelter program.
- What does HB1109 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety.
- What is the status of HB1109?
- In committee as of January 12, 2026. Latest action: Representatives Judy, Garcia Wilburn added as coauthors (January 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1109?
- Craig Haggard (R, HD-057), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1109?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1109
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.