Prosperity Indiana works diligently to collaborate with state legislators in developing policies that respond to urgent human needs, help expand economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in communities of all sizes throughout the state. In 2017, our state policy advocacy will be focused on four critical areas in support of resilient families and vibrant communities.

1. CLARIFYING CHARITABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

Enacting legislation to provide clarity and certainty around tax exemption for 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that own and operate affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families is essential to preserving and expanding quality affordable housing options, which our state currently lacks. Prosperity Indiana will work to establish a uniform, objective standard to ensure that these non-profit organizations receive property tax exemption throughout all of Indiana’s 92 counties.

Prosperity Indiana remains committed to ensuring that incentive credit reform proposals do not adversely affect the opportunities for economic success of individuals and families at any income level. Specifically, our organization will monitor and act on proposed changes to state appropriations for the Individual Development Accounts (IDA) tax credit; Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credit; and State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Helping low-income Hoosiers attain and sustain economic sufficiency is central to community development progress. Accordingly, Prosperity Indiana will work to ensure Hoosiers have access to economic opportunity through affordable childcare resources, including expanded pre-k educational opportunities, and eliminating restrictive asset limits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that hinder financial growth potential for low-income households.

4. PROTECTING CONSUMERS, PROMOTING ECONOMIC STABILITY

Prosperity Indiana will continue active advocacy to encourage asset building for low-wealth individuals and families, such as the extension of the $50 foreclosure filing fee, which funds statewide counseling and legal assistance to help borrowers in need avert foreclosure. We will also work to prevent predatory lending products and practices that disproportionately impact low-income consumers, including debt garnishment, exceedingly high-interest loans, and attempts to undermine the judicial foreclosure process in place in Indiana.