INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Each week on Community Link, Carolene Mays takes a look at an organization or business that is making a positive impact on the community.
This week, the Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development Incorporation (HAND) appeared on Daybreak to address the growing housing affordability crisis in Hamilton County.
HAND, led by Executive Director Andrea Davis, focuses on building affordable rental housing for families earning up to 60% of the area median income. This initiative aims to support essential workers in the community, such as grocery store employees, school bus drivers, and hospital custodians, who struggle to find affordable housing due to rapidly increasing housing costs.
“We really just love the stability that we’re able to bring into people’s lives,” Davis said. “When you don’t know where you’re going to stay at night or if you’re going to be able to stay in your home, that really gets in the way of figuring out a lot of other things.”
The rising cost of housing in Hamilton County has outpaced income growth, with some housing prices increasing by 40-50% over the past five years. This has created a significant gap between what residents can afford and the housing available to them.
HAND emphasizes quality in their housing projects, ensuring that affordable housing is built with the same materials as market-rate housing. This commitment to quality helps dispel misconceptions about affordable housing being of lower quality.
HAND will host its annual Suburban Housing Conference aiming to educate the community about local housing needs and potential solutions. The event will take place April 30 at 8:30 a.m.
To learn more about HAND’s handiwork, watch the video above!