Piece of the PI is sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis 

Piece of the PI: Newsletter

A monthly publication for the members of Prosperity Indiana

We REAP prosperity by providing Resources, Engagement, Advocacy, and Programs that support our members' work!

Resources

Spotlight on Upcoming Events 

Catalyzing Housing Stability Through Community Collaborations 

During July and August, Prosperity Indiana will host six meetings to jumpstart community collaborations advancing safe, fair, and affordable housing. PI staff will convene stakeholders in Kosciusko, Tippecanoe, Allen, Lake, Vanderburgh, and Floyd Counties to either kickstart housing conversations, move conversations to action, or sustain the momentum of existing collaborations. For more information regarding this initiative, please contact Marie Beason. 

PI Completes its First Ever HUD Housing Counseling Cohort 

PI recently concluded a nine-week program preparing participants to become HUD-Certified Housing Counselors. Twenty (20) participants from the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA2) Network prepared for the HUD Certified Housing Counselor Exam through presentations, quizzes, games, and practice tests. Cliff Miller from Community Action of Greater Indianapolis (CAGI) was the first member of the cohort to take the exam and PASSED the exam on his first attempt! Congratulations, Cliff! 

Prosperity Indiana is excited to increase housing counseling services in Indiana through training programs, technical assistance (TA), policy work, and our support of the Indiana Housing Stability Network. For more information on housing counseling services or upcoming housing counseling training opportunities, please reach out to Danielle Drew.

Help Promote IndianaLegalHelp.org 

It is not uncommon for low-income Hoosier families to experience civil legal problems such as safe housing, child custody, and protection from abuse. If you are working with someone who has a legal question or need, directing that person to IndianaLegalHelp.org is a way to connect them to free legal resources and information designed to make the legal process easier to understand and navigate. From IndianaLegalHelp.org, anyone can search for organizations providing free legal services or clinics by entering their zip code or county. You can get to the website from any computer, mobile device, or one of our 150 legal kiosks located around the state.   

While the website receives over 40,000 visits each month, we know there are others who could benefit from the legal resources available. Help us spread the word about IndianaLegalHelp.org by visiting the Partner Resources page for free flyers, a map of Indiana Legal Help Kiosk locations, and an instructional video and follow Indiana Legal Help on Facebook. 

Tools You Can Use 

There are a few new federal grant opportunities currently available to you at Grants.gov! 

America’s Rental Housing 2024 Report  

The Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) of Harvard University recently published the “America’s Rental Housing 2024,” report. This report highlights the ongoing housing unaffordability crisis that renters across the nation are facing, persistently rising rates of homelessness, and the growing need and evidence for rental assistance programs. According to the report, “the number of renter households spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities rose by 2 million in just three years to a record high of 22.4 million.” Furthermore, “among these renters, 12.1 million had severe burdens, paying over half of their income for housing also an all-time high.” Please visit here to learn more and to access the full report and interactive data and map JCHS published to accompany the report.

Engagement

Annual Regional Meetings

Yesterday was an incredible start to our summer Regional Meetings in Fort Wayne! Our team dove deep into meaningful conversations with both members and non-members alike. We tackled pressing community issues, brainstormed solutions, and left feeling energized by the collective passion and commitment in the room. The excitement doesn't stop there—mark your calendars for our next gathering on July 9 in Gary, IN. We can't wait to continue these impactful discussions!

Already registered for an upcoming event? Share it with your colleagues and partners. We look forward to connecting with you this summer.

• July 9, Gary
  

• July 16, South Bend

• July 18, Lafayette

• July 24, Evansville

• July 31, Indianapolis

• August 6, Jeffersonville

1:1 Member Meetings

We encourage you to schedule your site visit with Prosperity Indiana’s, Engagement Manager, she is eager to learn about your work, greatest needs, and more. This is an opportunity to request specific resources and connections firsthand. Take advantage and contact Destinee Lewis at dlewis@prosperityindiana.org to schedule your meeting today!

Advocacy

Thank you to the Prosperity Indiana members who joined nearly 500 Hoosier organizations and individuals who signed our letter asking Governor Holcomb to create and convene a Commission on Housing Safety, Stability, and Affordability! The letter was delivered to the Governor’s office on June 10 and we are working on scheduling a meeting with staff to discuss the recommendations.

Thanks also to the PI members who joined 75 organizations to sign a letter to Senator Todd Young urging him to urging him to advance his Eviction Crisis Act and Family Stability & Opportunity Vouchers Act in the bipartisan housing legislation currently being crafted by the Senate Banking Committee. 

Programs

Community Loan Center

Prosperity Indiana staff are in Fort Wayne this month, and we’re giving a shout-out to employers in the Northeast region who recognize the value of financial wellness byproviding Community Loan Center benefits to their employees. This credit-building benefits package boost is available at no charge to Indiana-based employers in every region of the state. For more information go to clcofindiana.org/employers. 

PI & Member Events

• July 1: Apartment Maintenance Technical Training Course, John Boner Neighborhood Centers

• July 9: Gary Regional Meeting, Prosperity Indiana

• July 16: South Bend Regional Meeting, Prosperity Indiana

• July 17: United Way Annual Celebration, United Way of Central Indiana

• July 18: Lafayette Regional Meeting, Prosperity Indiana

• July 19: Spiked Lemonade Stand, Coburn Place

• July 24: Evansville Regional Meeting, Prosperity Indiana

• July 31: Indianapolis Regional Meeting, Prosperity Indiana

• August 6: Jeffersonville Regional Meeting, Prosperity Indiana

• August 29: Housing Justice Conference, Indiana Justice Project

PI & Member Jobs

• Various positions, PACE Community Action Agency

• Professional Development Coach, Brightpoint

• Human Resource Recruiter, Brightpoint

• Various positions, Damien Center

• Assistant Director of Workforce Readiness, Foster Success

• Communications Coordinator, Foster Success

• Manager of Finance, Foster Success

• Various positions, LaCasa, Inc.

• Medical Assistant, Jane Pauley Community Health Center

PI in the News

• Local Organizations Sign Letter for Housing Commission, Tristate Homepage

• New Animal Shelter, Broadband, Call for Housing Commission, High-School Changes, The Statehouse File

• What Are the 25 Least Expensive States to Live In?, WIBX

• Hoosiers Call on Governor to Take Action on Affordable Housing, WRTV Indianapolis

• BUILDING SUPPORT: Nearly 500 Advocates Write to Gov. Holcomb Seeking State Housing Commission, The Indiana Citizen

• Fort Wayne Named 20th Best City but Low Housing Costs Reflect Low Wages, Journal Gazette

• Hoosiers Push for Statewide Commission to Tackle Housing Crisis, Public News Service

Members in the News

• Nelson to keynote Human Rights Commission annual dinner meeting, The Republic News

• Want Leaders in Community Development? Develop a New Hiring Strategy, Shelterforce

• A Local Nonprofit is Resurrecting an Old Housing Rule to Close the Homeownership Gap, Mirror Indy

• Evansville's mayor announces creation of $500K 'Forward Together Grant Fund', WEVV 44News

• National Non-Profit Launches New Statewide Indiana Solar Program, WTCA

PI staff at the first of the 2024 Regional Meetings in Fort Wayne.

Connect with Prosperity Indiana on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to see more of what we're out in the community doing for you!

Additional Information & Opportunities

Forward Together Grant Fund for Nonprofit Organizations in the Evansville Community

The fund will be used to provide support for eligible nonprofits who lead meaningful work to help strengthen neighborhoods and provide pathways out of poverty for city residents.

Organizations may apply for up to $35,000 apiece to fund programs.

Applications can be submitted before September 5. Learn more here.

Funds Available to Assist Low-Income Homeowners

Preservation Grant program provides grant funds to assist very low- and low-income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas. In addition, the program assists rental property owners and cooperative housing complexes in repairing and rehabilitating their units if they agree to make such units available to very low- and low-income persons.

Apply before July 29 here.

Free Walk-In Eviction Record Sealing Clinic

Indiana Justice Project is offering a free Eviction Record Sealing Clinic at Indianapolis Interchurch Center from 10:00-1:00pm on Friday, July 19.

Learn more on the flyer here.

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