INDIANAPOLIS — The Mayor, City officials, community leaders, and residents joined together recently to launch Vacant to Vibrant, the City’s new affordable housing program created to develop affordable homeownership and rental opportunities with city-owned properties in the Near Northwest, Martindale-Brightwood, and Near Eastside neighborhoods.
Vacant to Vibrant programming will be supported with $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding. Non-profits, Community Development Corporations, and real estate developers are eligible to apply. Vacant to Vibrant properties will be available for residents at or below 80 percent Area Median Income, which translates to $73,050 annually for a family of four.
Submitted development proposals must align with specific neighborhood context and design through DMD’s Infill Housing guidelines. In addition, Vacant to Vibrant will have a neighborhood advisory committee to provide direct feedback to City staff on proposals before projects are awarded.
“The line between redevelopment vs. gentrification of older neighborhoods is often thin and hard to walk,” said Indianapolis City-County Council President Vop Osili, whose downtown district includes two of the neighborhoods targeted by the program. “The Vacant to Vibrant program strikes precisely the balance we need to ensure that redevelopment builds racial and financial equity for residents while addressing the challenge of vacant properties and the negative impact they often have on the civic and economic health of our neighborhoods.”
Last year, the city awarded over $8 million to permanent supportive housing developments, spurring the creation of 100 units for people and families recently experiencing homelessness. In 2021, the City-County Council voted unanimously to allocate over $50 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding for pandemic relief towards affordable housing and neighborhood initiatives. In the midst of a housing crisis, DMD is working to increase the supply of quality housing that is sustainable, accessible, and affordable for all, with the goal of enhancing and preserving diverse neighborhoods.
Development proposal applications can be found on indy.gov. The deadline for proposals is March 31.
