Foster care youth aging out will soon gain access to rental accommodations that are affordable at four different sites across Indiana. With funding approved by the Indiana General Assembly, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) has revealed its choice of four projects aimed at fulfilling the demand.
Designed to develop affordable housing developments with supportive services for young adults (ages 18-23), during the 2023 budget session law makers allocated $5,000,000 with an additional $5,000,000 in grants to be provided by the IHCDA.
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“Youth exiting the foster care system are vulnerable through no fault of their own, and it is our duty to provide them a smooth transition to adulthood,” said Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch.
“These four housing projects represent a significant step in that direction and will ensure foster youth are given a chance to live productive, dignified and independent lives.”
The Request for Proposal was issued in December 2023 with applications due February 2024.
Applicants were mandated to form a team comprising of, at the very least, a nonprofit housing developer, a certified service provider and a property management company.
The nonprofit developer is responsible for the development and ownership of the rental units, arranging or hiring property management services, and adhering to all reporting requirements set by IHCDA.
The certified service provider is tasked with referring eligible applicants and delivering various services to residents, including life skills training, budgeting assistance, mental health counseling, job coaching, GED attainment support and other relevant services.
IHCDA assessed applicants in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS).
The four applicants selected:
- Lacasa of Goshen, Inc. and Bashor Childrens Home, for an 11-unit development in Goshen.
- Firefly Children and Family Alliance, Herron Property Management and ALK Development, for a 12-15 unit development in Indianapolis.
- New Hope Services, Inc., LifeSpring Health Systems and Herron Property Management, for a 10-14 unit development in Jeffersonville.
- Building and Impacting Communities, Inc., Epiphany & Company and BWI Management, for a 20-unit development in Merrillville.
The projects are obligated to function as affordable rental housing, distinct from transitional housing, emergency shelters, or safe havens. All units must cater to youth transitioning from foster care.
IHCDA will oversee these developments to ensure program compliance and will carry out regular inspections.
Chosen applicants will receive invitations to submit comprehensive funding applications by December 2024. Initial applications did not encompass site control, zoning details, site plans, architectural drawings, or finalized budgets.
The unit counts mentioned earlier are subject to alteration.
