Indiana has one of the highest rates of evictions in the country – only six states are worse.

And many community advocates point to one issue as a major cause.

Three of Indiana’s biggest cities are in the top 20 in the country among comparably-sized communities for highest eviction rates – Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and South Bend. Indianapolis has the second most evictions of any city in the country, behind only New York City.

Prosperity Indiana’s Jessica Love – like many community advocates – points to a major issue the state must address to help reduce evictions.

“They must also include more resources to fund the expansion of affordable housing,” Love says.

Judy Fox runs the Economic Justice clinic in South Bend. She says she’d also like to see Indiana create an eviction expungement process.

“If you were evicted 10 years ago, why is that still on your record and preventing people from renting to you?” Fox says.

Some community leaders say there’s hope for federal action, spearheaded in part by Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.).