People of Housing Security:
Nate Howell

Nate Howell’s office at Crawford Apartments is painted a bold blue, and along one wall are shelves stocked with hygiene products and cleaning supplies. Residents can drop by and pick up what they need, and Nate is there to help.

Nate is part of Beacon Inc.’s permanent supportive housing team, based on the Housing First approach. The program assists residents at Crawford I and II Apartments – a combined 61 units – as well as at about 40 other apartments throughout the city.

The staff run a food pantry for residents every Monday, with food delivered by Hoosier Hills Food Bank. They also work with community partners like Monroe County Public Health, the Monroe County Humane Association, local churches and others who provide services at the Crawford complex on South Henderson.

The majority of residents have mental health challenges, Nate noted, sometimes coupled with substance use disorder. But despite the stigma and stereotypes that residents face, there are many success stories, he said. “When residents are stabilized and housed, then they can start working on other areas of their life,” Nate said. That includes getting help with navigating health issues, mental health and substance use. “If they’re on the streets, it’s just not going to happen.”

So it’s a win whenever people have a place to live and aren’t on the streets, Nate said. And even if they can’t overcome their mental health or substance use issues, he noted, people who are housed see a dramatic reduction in uninsured ER visits and aren’t as likely to be incarcerated. That’s a cost savings to taxpayers, too.

Nate also observed that many working class or middle class families “are a lot closer to homelessness than they care to admit.” Often it takes just one financial crisis to push someone into homelessness and a lot of times that crisis is beyond someone’s control. There’s a complex web of issues – many of them societal – that contribute to homelessness, he noted.

“When residents are stabilized and housed, then they can start working on other areas of their life.”

Being in a job that addresses such a critical need is gratifying, Nate said. “These are really the most vulnerable people in the community and I’m doing something tangible to help them improve their lives, even if it’s just a bit.” He added: “I feel very privileged and bless that I’m able to help the community in this way.”

Nate’s empathy and compassion for the people he serves stems in part from his personal history. He overcame his own mental health struggles with help from family and friends, and understands that without the financial, social and family support, “this could be me.”

Nate was born in Plantation, Florida, a northern suburb of Miami. His family moved to Bloomington when he was about two years old. He was home-schooled through high school but was active in extra-curricular activities, including music (he played the cello), chess club, spelling bees and sports. “I was a big nerd,” he joked.

Nate earned an undergraduate degree from the IU School of Public Health. As part of his studies, he worked as a health intern at Crawford Apartments. When he graduated in 2017, he was offered a staff position as case manager.

After taking a couple of years off from his educational pursuits, in 2019 Nate began studies at IU for a master’s degree in public health administration, while he continued working full-time at Crawford. When he graduated in 2023, he was promoted to become Beacon’s Permanent Supportive Housing Team Lead.

As Team Lead, he has a smaller case load while helping his supervisor – Danielle Sorden, Director of Beacon’s Housing First Programs – with administrative tasks. He’s in charge of training and onboarding new staff for the PSH program.

Outside of work, Nate and his wife Sara live on Bloomington’s southwest side with their two “crazy fur babies” – their dog Samson and cat Roxie Rose. Nate also enjoys playing basketball, weight lifting and taking walks.

About the People of Housing Security: This series highlights the work of those committed to improving the lives of residents in South Central Indiana. Find all the articles in this series here.