Affordable housing developers in Indianapolis will get close to $1 million in grants this year to help cover their operating costs.
The money, which comes from the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, is unique because affordable housing developers normally have to use grants for specific projects.
But through the organization’s Indianapolis Neighborhood Development Initiative, organizations can use the money to pay for staff and other expenses. The goal is to help bring stability to the developers so they can continue providing affordable housing.
The West Indianapolis Development Corporation, for example, recently hired a new operations manager, whose salary the grant will help fund.
“This is a rare opportunity in the grand scheme of things,” said Lisa Laflin, executive director of the West Indianapolis Development Corporation.
A total of $900,000 in grants will go to 11 organizations. Most are community development corporations, or CDCs.
- Community Action of Greater Indianapolis
- Englewood Community Development Corporation
- Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corporation
- Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation
- Near East Area Renewal
- Near North Development Corporation
- RDOOR Housing Corporation
- Shepherd Community Center
- Southeast Neighborhood Development
- West Indianapolis Development Corporation
- Westside Community Development Corporation
“Adding more affordable housing options is no easy task,” Gina Miller, CEO of INHP, said in a press release, “yet these organizations continue to find ways to make it possible within Indianapolis neighborhoods.”
INHP declined to share grant totals for each organization.
The grants will go toward developing or preserving 743 affordable housing units in Marion County, according to the announcement.
Projects in the works
Southeast Neighborhood Development is planning a project in Bates Hendricks that would include five rental units and commercial space.
Affordable housing developers rely on a combination of grants and subsidies to keep costs low. Aside from funding, developers also have to navigate the bureaucracy of zoning and permitting. And delays can translate to a higher price tag.
“It’s always a challenging process,” said Kelli Mirgeaux, president of Southeast Neighborhood Development.
The West Indianapolis Development Corporation plans to build a 40-unit apartment complex on West Morris Street.
Half of the units at the apartments, called West Park, would be reserved for people making 80% or less of the area median income. For a family of three, that would be $79,700, according to data from the federal government. Other units will be reserved for people making 50% and 30% of the area median income.
“At the end of the day,” Laflin said, “all of these dollars help us do what we do.”
The organization also plans to build three new homes and rehab two rental units this year.
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Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers housing and labor. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @ty_fenwick and Bluesky @tyfenwick.bsky.social.
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