INDIANAPOLIS — Several organizations have found that more homeless veterans are Black than any other race.
The organization Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF) says many Black veterans experience job insecurity and homelessness.
58% of the veterans they support are Black.
"It's tough to see. I think it plays into the picture of what our country sees as a whole: People of color being disproportionally disadvantaged," Kiara Walker, with HVAF said.
The homeless advocacy group CHIP says during a count in 2022, there were 167 homeless veterans and 57% were black.
"You would hope that those who served our country would have everything available for them to be successful. A lot of times it is knowing what's available for you," Walker said.
It's a problem vets like Berry Mallory II, 62, are hoping to change.
Mallory is an army vet.
"Oh God, it was the best thing in the world. Just to be out there, you just had to envision helicopters and planes coming down and you just go and fill up the whole load of them and stuff," Mallory said.
He served from 1979-1982.
"I loved getting up at 3 in the morning and doing the runs and filling up the helicopters and the gama goats, and all that kind of thing," he said.
Mallory faced discrimination while in the military.
"Country boys who came from the South and places that they've never seen Black people before," he said. "I was talked down to, and I really didn't like that."
But Mallory's hardships didn't stop in the military.
"When I came back in '82, jobs were kind of scarce when I got home," Mallory said.
When he landed a job, he says wages were low and after some time he was let go.
After that, he became homeless.
"It's scary because you have to really watch your stuff, and other people who are scared just like you are. It's a bad feeling," Mallory said.
Since then, Mallory has landed his dream job in the food industry and is thriving.
"It is very triumphant. I thank my lucky stars every day to hop in a car and to have my own place and I can just do whatever I want." Mallory said.
He hopes that sharing his story — and the message below — will encourage other vets.
"If you want it, get out there and go get it," he said.
HVAF provides temporary housing for more than 120 vets each night.
If you are a veteran who needs help with housing, click here.
-
State agency recommends denying AES Indiana's $193M rate request
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is telling regulators to deny AES Indiana's $192.9 million rate increase request and instead cut current rates by $21.2 million.
Work starts to transform old Bloomington hospital site into affordable housing
The site of the hospital, now known as the Hopewell neighborhood, could feature as many as 175 new affordable housing units in its first phase.
Wayne Township Trustee’s Office faces rising demand amid budget strains
Wayne Township is seeing a dramatic rise in residents seeking help with school clothing and utility bills, forcing leaders to tap rainy-day funds as demand could grow ahead.
Your morning coffee is getting pricier: Here's what to expect at local shops
Coffee prices are on the rise due to a multitude of factors, and local stores and businesses are sharing what you should expect the next time you get your morning cup of Joe.
