Formerly homeless veteran faces humidity with no AC

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — People living in a west side housing development for homeless veterans were fighting high heat and humidity Tuesday without air conditioning. Residents said recent storms broke the AC system more than a week ago.

Lincoln Apartments is the home of Will Wilson, but lately he’s been staying with his sister. When he was at home Tuesday, the buzz of two fans filled his unit.

“Those things aren’t blowing anything but hot air,” Wilson said. “It feels like it’s just blowing steam in here.”

It was another hurdle for Wilson, who said he is a U.S. Navy veteran, and his neighbors as they transition from being homeless.

“It has been an emotional roller coaster,” he said. “I just started a new job. I’ve had to take off twice now because I haven’t slept.”

City officials said people struggling to cool off should use one of the city’s 18 free splash pads.

Wilson’s relocation to his sister’s home has allowed him to stay cool and get back on a healthy diet for his diabetes. But Tuesday he was worried about his neighbors.

“We’re all dealing with something,” he said. “A lot of them are worse off than I am. They have to stay here all day.”

He said on Tuesday that he didn’t know when the AC would be back, but he was praying for it to happen before the temperatures rise even more.

Management at Lincoln Apartments provided fans to residents to keep them cool during repairs. Employees did not immediately respond to 24-Hour News 8’s request for comment.

The city of Indianapolis, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority are listed as financial partners for Lincoln Apartment’s on the housing development’s website.