Indianapolis received $9.9 million in Continuum of Care (Coc) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support community projects serving high-risk residents seeking affordable housing.
Mayor Hogsett announced the federal award with other community partners at Parker Place Senior Apartments. It is one of the largest federal grants to address homelessness received by the city.
“We are proud to announce that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has granted 100% of the funds that we requested. That type of commitment allows us to maintain and expand services this year,” said Mayor Hogsett.
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Funds will go towards community projects led by Indianapolis housing and service providers. Along with three new projects that exist to help different communities:
- 13 Rapid Recovery units for Salvation Army clients fleeing domestic violence
- 22 units for Housing at Sherman Forest youth clients and 24-year-old and under partners
- 30 units for chronically homeless Horizon House clients
Horizon House, which sits five minutes away from where the mayor made his announcement, was busy as usual with the daily intake of people that come through their doors.
This opportunity is one of the largest federal grants for cities to address homelessness.
The shelter has been around for more than 30 years and offers laundry, showers, nutritious meals to go, hygiene items, medical assistance through Eskenazi, case managers to assist with housing and jobs, access to telephones, clothing and shoes from donations and access to mail.
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The director of development and communications, Judy Neumen said they are one of the few shelters that offer mail delivery.
Instead of referring to them as homeless, they’re called neighbors.
“That’s who they are. They’re our neighbors in the community. Homelessness is not a class of people. It’s a temporary condition. We treat them with hospitality, dignity and respect.
Our neighbors are people too. They’re just like you and I. They just don’t have a home,” said Nueman.
Horizon House apart of receiving $9.9 million from Indianapolis
They take men, women and children. Men make up 70% of their regular neighbors. Women make up 30%. They see 20% of families in attendance together.
Nueman said they get between 150 to 200 neighbors a day.
Last year they were shy of 7,000 new neighbors and had over 38,000 visits total.
Their outreach team goes out into the encampments to bring them supplies and talk to neighbors about coming to Horizon House. The goal is to help them transition into housing.
Because of the lack of affordable and low barrier housing, Horizon House has started to break ground on a new facility being built next door.
Called The Compass on Washington, it will serve as a 36-unit one-bedroom apartment building for their neighbors. It is currently under construction.
“This started in November of last year and it’s going to be done about May of next year.
That’s part of the mayor’s initiative that he wants to provide more low barrier housing.
“I know 36 may not sound like a lot, but it gets 36 people off the streets,” said Nueman.
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, please see the resources below:
- CHIP Indy Handbook of Help
- Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety Homelessness Initiatives
- Legal Indiana Services for Housing Health and Safety Issues
Contact staff writer Jade Jackson at 317-607-5792 or by email jadej@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON
