CITY AWARDED $4.9 MILLION FOR HOMELESS HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAMS

The Department of Metropolitan Development will use a $4.9 million grant to provide housing support for area homeless. The grant, issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is through a program called the Continuum of Care.

"This funding is a welcomed addition to our continued fight against homelessness in Indianapolis," said Mayor Greg Ballard. "That, in cooperation with our local supporting organizations, will allow us to better reach individuals in need of assistance and provide much needed resources to those facing homelessness."

A total of $2.8 million of that award will be used in partnership with three area organizations to provide 69 new housing beds throughout the City. These organizations (listed below) work in partnership with various service providers to offer assistance to area homeless. The additional $2.1 million will allow for the renewal of 15 currently operating supportive housing projects.

"These funds are crucial to helping some of our most vulnerable Hoosiers," said Congressman André Carson. "I am pleased to see these organizations were awarded this funding to aid them in their daily struggle to help house the homeless in our city."

In 2009, an application was submitted for $4,965,665 in grants, and was fully funded. $2,195,705 was renewal applications that had been previously funded, $2,769,960 of that is for the 4 new projects. Following is a breakdown of the funding that shows how and where the money will be spent:

Dove House Transitional Housing $315,000.00
Dove House's residential program is designed specifically for homeless women in recovery from substance abuse, who may or may not have a coexisting mental illness. The main component of Dove House's Transitional Housing Program is to provide safe and affordable transitional housing. All of the women served by Dove House have no other alternatives for safe housing. Most have damaged their positive personal and familial relationships, and are working hard to cut ties with the people who have been a negative and unhealthy influence. Dove House provides them with a safe secure environment in which they can recover without becoming a crime or abuse victim. This project will create 10 beds of transitional housing.

Midtown Community Mental Health Center Intecare Shelter Plus Care $1,143,000.00
Midtown Community Mental Health Center (Midtown) will work in collaboration with InteCare Housing II, Inc. (InteCare), Adult and Child Mental Health Center, BehaviorCorp Mental Health Center, Gallahue Mental Health Center, and the Damien Center to create a 30 unit Shelter Plus Care project encompassing the "Housing First, Low Demand" model of housing, in which individuals will be housed based on need versus readiness to change. Program participants to be served are those who are chronically homeless, mentally ill, chronically addicted, and/or living with HIV/AIDS. Many of these participants are unable to obtain adequate housing due to financial challenges, inability to navigate the housing process, and lack of transportation. This new construction site will be available in the 2011 calendar year. Project site is in a "Smart Growth" region and will be reconsidered in the new round of urban planning facilitated by Ball State University. Building will be constructed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) energy conservation standards.

Partners in Housing Development Corporation Orleans I $452,400.00
Partners in Housing Development Corporation Orleans II $859,560.00
This Partners in Housing Development Corporation project is an exciting opportunity to address a critical housing need in accordance with Indianapolis' "Blueprint to End Homelessness" and to offer the potential of a complete housing continuum on a single site. Partners In Housing Development Corporation is in the process of acquiring an existing apartment complex located at 310 North Shortridge Street on Indianapolis' east side. The Orleans Apartments consists of 121 two-bedroom units spread across 11 buildings on 13.5 acres. In partnership with the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside and Craine House, these two Shelter Plus Care projects for a total of 29 two bedroom units will be dedicated to homeless families with disabilities and will house a minimum of 29 adults and 29 children.