Indianapolis unveils new affordable housing as part of Vacant to Vibrant program

The Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development on Wednesday revealed two new affordable housing units.

The houses are located on the city’s near west side, and were developed as part of the city’s Vacant to Vibrant program.

The program, which uses grant funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Community Development Block Grant, seeks to turn unused property into affordable housing. The city has awarded $5.86 million in funding for affordable housing through the program.

“We had a vision for the abundance of vacant land in our city,” Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said. “We recognized the potential of this land back then, and to see that potential fully realized here today, is a gratifying experience.”

Gloria Johnson has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years. She said this new development is encouraging but that the area needs more help, and still has an issue with vacant properties.

“It's nice to have some upgrades in the neighborhood, but it also needs to be addressed, like you see those empty, abandoned houses [across the street]," Johnson said. "Somebody needs to talk to whoever the owners of those are, because that’s dangerous.”

The two new homes were developed by the Westside Community Development Corporation. They are reserved for residents who make 80 percent or less of the area's median income, which is roughly $81,000 per year.

In addition to federal grants, the WCDC also received funding from the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative and the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership.