Lt. Gov. Crouch, IHCDA award $3 million to combat rural homelessness

Funding from HUD awarded to three projects serving nine counties across Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 27, 2023) – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) have awarded a total of $3,072,403 to three projects in nine counties focused on combating rural homelessness.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced funding for the Supplemental Rural and Unsheltered Homelessness Notice of Funding Opportunity. This funding will be available over the next three years. Each of these projects leveraged housing resources through a collaborative application for Housing Stability Vouchers to HUD in partnership with IHCDA.

“These funds will help local partners serve those in their communities who are experiencing homelessness,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “These projects signify a collaborative step towards our long-term goal to end homelessness in the state of Indiana.”

The following projects were awarded funding:

Jackson County Unsheltered Housing: This new supportive housing project in Jackson County will serve up to 15 one, two and three bedroom households. 10 of the households will receive a subsidy from CoC funding and five will be funded through the HUD Housing Stability Voucher program. It will focus on addressing those experiencing opioid addictions who are facing chronic homelessness. This partnership between Housing Services Inc. and Anchor House includes a collaboration with Schneck Medical Center, which will offer medical, psychiatric, and recovery services to those in the program.
Counties served: Jackson
Funding awarded: $918,102

Lafayette Transitional Housing Rapid Rehousing: This new rapid rehousing project will serve up to 40 one-, two- and three-bedroom households, with 20 receiving a subsidy from CoC funding and 20 receiving a subsidy from the HUD Housing Stability Voucher program. The project will serve seven counties in central/western Indiana and will utilize a partnership with InWell and Phoenix Paramedics to expand healthcare resources available to clients in the program.
Counties served:  Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery, Warren, White
Funding awarded: $1,228,769

Porter Starke Services Permanent Supportive Housing: This new supportive housing project will serve up to 10 one-bedroom households, with five of them receiving a subsidy from CoC funding and five receiving a subsidy from HUD through the Housing Stability Voucher program. The project will focus on providing housing to disabled individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, and will be the first supportive housing project located in Starke County.
Counties served: Starke
Funding awarded: $925,532

“Our community partners will be able to utilize these funds as they provide localized assistance for our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Jacob Sipe, executive director of IHCDA. “This funding helps fill the gaps to improve outcomes for people facing housing instability.”

These grants and vouchers combine to create an innovative package of resources to help communities provide housing and supportive services to people in unsheltered settings and people experiencing homelessness in rural areas. Applicant communities were asked to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing unsheltered and rural homelessness that involves coordination with health care providers, other housing agencies such as public housing authorities, and people with lived experience.

The full list of HUD grantees is available here.