INDIANAPOLIS — The recipients of the Youth and Young Adults Transitional Housing Grant Program have been announced. A local partnership between 91Place and VOICES Corp will receive over $4 million across the next three years, providing youth and young adult emergency and transitional housing and a multi-phased wraparound resident care program.
The grant program is part of Mayor Hogsett’s 3-year, $150 million violence reduction plan and funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars passed unanimously by the City-County Council.
The partnership between 91 Place and VOICES Corp will fill a critical gap in services for young people up to 24 years old with a high risk of exposure to the criminal justice system and lack of stable housing. In addition to providing housing, the program includes wraparound services such as mental and physical health assessments, trauma-informed therapy, life coaching, case management, workforce readiness planning, and arts programming. 91 Place, located on the east side of Indianapolis, is a low-barrier transitional housing facility providing youth a place to stay for up to 2 years. Following the HUD “Housing First” model, they address access to housing, food, and basic needs before providing wraparound services. The grant funding announced today will help 91 Place secure two new houses, adding eight transitional housing beds for young adults ages 16-24. It will also allow them to expand their mental health services for high-risk youth by 50%, and increase professional staff capacity in areas that best meet the needs of the residents and efforts to decrease incidents of homelessness.
VOICES Corp will use this funding to secure four living spaces for emergency shelter care and transitional housing for up to 22 youth ages 14-24 with assistance from local community partners. Youth and young adults will have access to onsite cognitive behavior programming, alternative education, artistic expression, and workforce development. The homes will be staffed 24 hours a day with support staff and case managers as well as a visiting Registered Nurse for medical assessments and medication needs.