SUMMER ISSUE 2020 the magazine

Page 10 Darnell Jackson Executive Director, Jeffersonville Housing Authority East city leaders, builders and other officials participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking June 16th for the Harbor Square housing project in the 2300 block of Broadway in East Chicago. The $13 million project, set for completion in mid-2021, combines affordable housing, healthcare facilities and solar energy. Safely Forging Ahead

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, affordable housing industry. The increase in construction work and play. costs and worker availability have been among the greatest challenges. This includes the affordable housing and community development industry in . Real Estate Transactions Throughout this issue of IHCDA…the Magazine you will John De Souza, President and Managing Broker of Cressy & hear from industry experts on how they have adapted to Everett Real Estate, explains the challenges the Real Estate the unique challenges the pandemic has presented. industry is facing. John explains that although economic uncertainty and concerns about affordability housing Public Housing remain high, REALTORS have exhibited a tremendous We are pleased to feature Darnell Jackson, Executive resiliency and flexibility to transform their traditional ways Director for the Jeffersonville Housing Authority on the of doing business to fit the changing needs of homebuyers cover of our summer issue of the magazine. One of his during the COVID-19 pandemic. proudest accomplishments is an impressive community center. Opened last summer, Spring Hill is the first Placemaking facility in Indiana to receive the federal EnVision Center We interviewed Alisa Burch who is the Director of the designation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Harrison County Public Library and president of the Board Urban Development (HUD). As you can imagine, this of Directors for the Indian Creek Trail. She explains in the community center has been central in their efforts to interview the challenges she faced when planning the support Jeffersonville families impacted by COVID-19. Adventure Walk placemaking project. Additionally, you will see how another placemaking project, The Idle, is Affordable Housing Development helping residents safely continue to enjoy public spaces.

A key membership organization developed to promote I hope you enjoy this issue of IHCDA…the Magazine. the creation, preservation, and the expansion of affordable Please remember to #MaskUpHoosiers. After all, we are housing, is the Indiana Affordable Housing Council (IAHC). #INthistogether.  We asked their President Ronda Shrewsbury-Weybright to explain how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Executive Director [email protected]

2 www.ihcda.in.gov the magazine

Volume 8 Issue 2 • Summer 2020

As a quasi-state agency, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority is committed to serving the entire spectrum of housing, from Darnell Jackson, Executive Director, Jeffersonville Housing Authority homelessness to homeownership. Our charge is to provide housing opportunities, promote self- sufficiency and strengthen communities, in order to build an In This Issue Indiana with a sustainable quality of life for all Hoosiers in the community of their choice. COVID-19’S Impact on Affordable Housing Construction in Indiana...... 4 As part of the Lt. Governor’s Family of Business, we work with Harbor Square to Combine Housing and Health Care...... 6 other state agencies, private and not-for-profit entities and local units of government to help COVID-19’s Impact on the Real Estate Market...... 8 develop innovative solutions for housing and comprehensive community development. Darnell Jackson: A Commitment to Jeffersonville...... 10

Hud Announces “Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice” Rule...... 14 IHCDA Board of Directors: SUZANNE CROUCH Parks for People Phase 1 Grand Opening...... 16 Lieutenant Governor KELLY MITCHELL Five Questions with Alisa Burch, Director of the Harrison County Public Library...... 18 Treasurer of State DAN HUGE Indiana Finance Authority The Idle: A Great Place to Escape, Socially-distance and Get in Touch with Nature...... 20 TOM MCGOWAN Kite Realty Group Trust Pace Community Action Agency, Inc. Making a Difference ANDY PLACE During the COVID-19 Pandemic...... 22 Place Builders J. JUNE MIDKIFF Merchants Bank of Indiana Elaine’s New Role: Touting Tourism & More...... 23 G. MICHAEL SCHOPMEYER Kahn, Dees, Donovon & Kahn, LLP

www.in.gov/myihcda 3 COVID-19’s Impact on Affordable Housing Construction in Indiana By Ronda Weybright, President, Indiana Affordable Housing Council

s the President of the Indiana Affordable every business has to Housing Council (IAHC), my role—like address its employees’ many other leading organizations—has health and safety while changed significantly over the past several balancing the needs of months. Instead of focusing on sharing their customers (residents) industry-related information, education, and updates, and business operations to our Board and members are pivoting from one “what remain viable. Contractors if” to the next to stay ahead of operations, construction, have learned new ways to resident needs, financing, and other issues that may arise operate through all of this during this unprecedented time. There is no playbook to to keep their employees reference on what to expect next, or where to focus our safe in the field while efforts. While we have many challenges, I will speak to the maintaining schedules Ronda Weybright issue of construction and the fact that there is no doubt that offer little flexibility or room for delays. And, while that this pandemic will leave a lasting impact on the the construction industry begins to find a new normal, construction industry as a whole. As the State of Indiana industry professionals consider the future of the business. addresses shut-downs and re-openings from COVID-19,

4 www.ihcda.in.gov As the number of global cases of COVID-19 increases, detrimentally impacts workers’ ability to work. A shortage its impact on the affordable housing construction industry of skilled labor will inevitably impede the progression of will evolve over the coming months. Based on observed some affordable housing developments. events in other states and cities, the Indiana affordable housing construction industry could experience similar Affordable housing construction job sites throughout difficulties with material supply chain disruption, labor Indiana implemented strict procedures during the early shortages, and the potential for a city-wide shutdown stages of the pandemic. Some of those procedures have of construction sites. We have been fortunate in Indiana begun to loosen as the state reopens, many will remain in with our ability to remain open, but the crystal ball is not effect in perpetuity. clear on what to expect going forward. Summary Construction Material Supply Chain Impacts The need for affordable housing is only getting stronger. Low-end estimates suggest that the U.S. procures around As unemployment rises, large and small corporations lay 30% of its construction materials from China; however, off or cut staff and people look for more affordable options, some firms are dependent on China for up to 80% of their what we have already experienced in affordable housing materials, and Indiana affordable housing construction for years, is only going to worsen. The waiting lists will get is no different. With international suppliers and logistics longer, and people who were once able to afford market- companies shutting down rate housing will qualify and need operations in an attempt affordable housing. Construction to contain the outbreak, must remain on track, and Indiana contractors are resources are made available to experiencing difficulties maintain an increasing supply of with their material housing. The construction industry supply chain, especially As the number of global is a huge employer and one that truly is essential on many fronts. with materials such as cases of COVID-19 appliances, treated wood, Creativity and persistence in the and lumber. field, procuring materials, and increases, its impact on keeping the sites safe, are crucial In light of this, reduced the affordable housing as we move forward. material availability has resulted in aggressive construction industry is The Indiana Affordable Housing purchasing patterns and Council (“IAHC”) is a membership the potential to drive up anticipated to evolve over organization founded in 2012. construction costs. Price The organization was created to increases on copper, the coming months. promote the preservation and aluminum, and casework expansion of affordable housing have already been for individuals and families recorded. Additionally, throughout the State of Indiana. the likelihood of the inability to procure materials will IAHC works to encourage and inevitably slow the overall rate of progress of many promote the professionalism, excellence, and value of affordable housing developments. the affordable housing industry and the organization’s members. IAHC advances its mission through education, Contractor and Labor Impacts information, and constructive relationships with state, local, and federal officials. Following the rise in US cases of COVID-19, attempts to contain its spread have resulted in the implementation of IAHC’s membership is comprised of organizations emergency protocols. Even in states like Indiana, where involved in all aspects of affordable housing. Members affordable housing construction activities are considered include both non-profit and private companies, including essential, restrictions to public transportation and the owners, property managers, developers, financial closure of schools, child care facilities, and businesses institutions, investors, builders, local government, attorneys, accountants, civic organizations, and consultants. 

www.in.gov/myihcda 5 Alison Toffic, operations coordinator for Upholdings, housing developer and property manager, addresses attendees of the ceremonial groundbreaking June 16th for the Harbor Square housing project in the 2300 block of Broadway in East Chicago.

Harbor Square to Combine Housing and Health Care

arbor Square is a new 28-unit development A collaboration with the city of East Chicago and the by UPholdings that will be located at Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority 2301 Broadway Street in East Chicago. (IHCDA), Harbor Square was developed in response to UPholdings will partner with Valparaiso- Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s Executive Order for based HealthLinc, which will operate the Declaration of Disaster Emergency in East Chicago. One ground floor’s federally qualified health clinic that will of his requests in this order was for IHCDA to find ways be open to the public. to encourage the new development of affordable rental housing in the East Chicago area. This blended management team will work to provide residents with supportive services as well as implement a wage and asset growth plan with residents.

6 www.ihcda.in.gov Joined by East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland, Building Commissioners James Portalatin delivers the invocation at the ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday for the Harbor Squarehousing project in the 2300 block of Broadway in East Chicago.

East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland addresses people gathered June 16th for the Harbor Square Housing project ceremonial groundbreaking in the 2300 block of Broadway. The $13 million project, set for completion in mid-2021, combines affordable housing, healthcare facilities and solar energy.

DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS

• The development will include a rooftop solar panel array that will offset the building’s energy costs and will be built to National Green Building Standards’ gold-level certification. • The apartment building will feature one- and two-bedroom units with modern, accessible layouts and a variety of resident common spaces, including a community “hub” space that will host activities and workshops that benefit residents and will be open to community members. • Harbor Square is 28,000 square feet in area and will cover a half-block at Broadway and Pulaski streets. Five thousand of that square footage will be taken up by HealthLinc.

www.in.gov/myihcda 7 COVID-19’s Impact on the Real Estate Market By John De Souza, President and Managing Broker of Cressy & Everett Real Estate

s the managing broker of a real estate pressures dictating the company with 190 agents, 12 offices in timing of transactions. Indiana and Michigan, and a property Job relocations, changes management company, I’m amazed and in a medical condition, tremendously proud of the resilience we retirements, lease ends, have seen in real estate during these unprecedented or financial hardships all times. With the housing collapse of 2008/09 still painfully require that someone buy fresh in the minds of many REALTORS, it was hard not or sell a house within a to imagine back in March that we were headed for a specific amount of time. In similar crisis in the housing sector. Although economic short, some transactions uncertainty and concerns about affordability housing can’t wait. remain high, REALTORS have exhibited a tremendous John De Souza resiliency and flexibility to transform our traditional ways With the onset of the of doing business to fit the changing needs of our clients COVID-19 pandemic, Hoosiers realized that now, perhaps during the COVID-19 pandemic. more than ever, our homes were central to our lives. That’s why REALTORS appreciated the wisdom behind REALTORS are hands-on, face-to-face helpers who listen being categorized as “essential” workers, allowing us to to understand their buyers’ and sellers’ needs and pride conduct business safely while continuing to meet the themselves in finding creative ways to achieve them. So, needs of home buyers and sellers, especially those who it is no mystery when a pandemic that limited their ability did not have the luxury because of circumstances beyond to come together with people and forced them to work their control to hunker down and ride out the pandemic. at a distance was a real game-changer for real estate professionals and the clients they represent. Some states, such as Michigan, chose not to declare our work essential and therefore kept thousands of real estate The many popular “reality” TV shows on the topic agents and, perhaps more importantly, their clients on the make home buying look like a casual event. The truth sidelines for several months. Over time, we will be able to is real estate transactions are very complex, and more assess the overall economic impact on the shutdown and often than not, buyers and sellers have demands and our industry, but the individual hardship for consumers

8 www.ihcda.in.gov was undoubtedly felt immediately. and title industry to do the same when As the President of a company with it came to protecting agents and clients. offices in both states, I can tell you When it was time to conduct the closing, the difference was stark. we agreed to minimize the number of individuals in attendance when possible, Although appreciative that and all parties were handled separately, REALTORS could continue at times even remaining in their cars while operating our businesses during the documents were brought to them for the COVID-19 pandemic, it has signature. been far from business as usual. We recognized that it was a privilege The human impact on our industry’s for the real estate industry to be ability to adjust so quickly cannot be declared an essential service by understated. Our company had a part in Governor Eric Holcomb. And it was many pandemic stories. For example, we understood that it could be taken assisted an elderly couple in selling their away if we did not conduct ourselves home to make the necessary move into responsibly and maintain our agents’ and clients’ health assisted living. We helped newly-hired Notre Dame faculty and safety at the forefront of all our practices. and coaches get their families relocated from other universities into our neighborhoods. We also helped a To accomplish this, our state association, the Indiana newly formed family of six sell two houses and start sharing Association of REALTORS, worked quickly to communicate their lives together in one larger home. We conducted executive orders issued this under COVID-19 health by the Governor and and safety recommendations provide recommendations and avoided the human and regarding health and safety economic toll of delaying best practices to our more these transactions. than 19,000 REALTOR members statewide. With the onset of the The pandemic has driven Real estate managing our REALTORS to stretch and brokers like me from across COVID-19 pandemic, learn many new skills. From the state set up lines of creating 3D models of homes communications to share Hoosiers quickly realized to conducting property ideas about meeting client showings over facetime, our needs during the pandemic that now, perhaps more agents have understood the and keeping our agents ever-changing guidelines and and corporate staff safe. delivered on the promise of We sought and followed than ever before, our lives bringing people home safely. guidance from the CDC and We still have uncertain days local health department were central to our lives. ahead as this persistent virus rules to ensure the health continues. I am proud to say and safety of the seller, the REALTORS have risen to the buyer, the agent, or any challenge and will continue of the vendors that might to strive to bring more enter a property for sale. innovation to their customers We quickly made the process of buying and selling a home as they do their part in preserving the American Dream of as touchless as possible. We switched to virtual showings, homeownership. digital documents, and signatures, and minimized visits to the property. When in-person visits were required, John De Souza is the President and Managing Broker we began with informed consent, then we donned of Cressy & Everett Real Estate, a brokerage serving masks, gloves, and used lots of wipes and sanitizer. Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. He was the  We worked together with our partners in the lending 2018 Indiana Association of Realtors president.

www.in.gov/myihcda 9 By Brad Meadows, Marketing and Communications Director

www.ihcda.in.gov hile his birth certificate may say he was born in Washington, D.C., Darnell Jackson is a Hoosier through and through. After graduating from Atlanta University with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), he joined a bank in North Carolina. This experience allowed him to assist various start-up companies, prepare loan packages, and conduct a series of workshops as a business consultant.

After several years of business consulting in North Carolina, his corporate office relocated him to Louisville, to head up their Kentucky office. It was in Louisville that Darnell got involved in housing.

“One day, a friend called and asked if I would be interested in joining The Community Builders as a project manager,” said Jackson. “The Community Builders had recently been awarded a contract to redevelop Carter and Lang Homes, a Louisville public housing development. I jumped on the opportunity because I always wanted to be involved with housing development.”

He later worked as the project manager for the Clarksdale public housing project in Louisville. Both were housing revitalization projects funded by HUD’s HOPE 6 program.

“At the completion of each development, I was very happy to see how residents’ lives and their community were positively impacted by the revitalization project,” added Jackson.

www.in.gov/myihcda 11 Jackson is pictured being interviewed after receiving a check from HUD through their Veterans Supportive Housing Program. The $55,826 in HUD-VASH vouchers will provide 10 units to veterans in need.

While working in Louisville allowed him to be closer to workshops. At the end of the program, trainees will Southern Indiana, Darnell always hoped to use his housing interview for jobs. experience in his hometown of Jeffersonville. And, when the opportunity presented itself in 2018, he jumped on it. Another focus for the Jeffersonville Housing Authority is to improve the quality of life of residents living in their As the Executive Director of the Jeffersonville Housing properties. They have conducted Healthy Living Classes that Authority, he now can make an incredible impact in address food choices, housekeeping, home organization, a community he has lived in for 26 years. And, he has emotional and physical health, including addictions. certainly hit the ground running. Additionally, there are Zumba classes, Pickleball, and an open gym for residents at the EnVision Center. Under his leadership, the Jeffersonville Housing Authority opened the Spring Hill EnVision Center in October 2019. It was the first HUD-approved EnVision Center in the State of Indiana. Key partners on this project included the City of Jeffersonville, First Saving Bank, LifeSpring, and Ivy Tech.

From the EnVision Center, they created a Construction/ Maintenance Trainee Program. This program is the hallmark of what the EnVision Center represents.

“We want to implement programs that help residents create opportunities for themselves,” said Jackson. “So, our focus is on jobs, training, education, and economic development.”

As part of the program, participants attend resume and interviewing workshops as well as financial literacy

12 www.ihcda.in.gov “While we will continue to build on the success that we already have achieved, I am excited about mapping out our next five-year plan,” added Jackson. “Public Housing is changing all around the country. I want to work with our community, local government officials, and, most importantly, map out the future of this agency.”

Response to COVID-19 For approximately four weeks, the Jeffersonville Housing Authority staff worked remotely until they could determine how to operate so the residents and staff could be safe. Then they transitioned to working alternate schedules to allow staff and residents to socially distance. They purchased laptops to enable remote working.

They worked with Metro United Way to assist with rental payments for families affected by COVID-19. The EnVision Center and the School Board partnered to offer free lunch for kids under 18 years old. 

www.in.gov/myihcda 13 Rensselaer Parks and Recreation recently were joined by project supporters for a ribbon cutting commemorating the completion of Phase I of the Parks for People campaign. Parks for People Phase 1 Grand Opening t the corner of College Avenue and Grove completely transform the Rensselaer City park system. Street in Rensselaer sat a park space that The total cost of these renovations will be about $1.5 needed more than a little TLC. This area had million. long been a park, and it had grown in size since the Monnett Elementary school was With the funding raised with the People and Places demolished. The property had basketball courts, soccer CreatINg Places’ campaign they were able to make fields, a baseball field, a playground, and a small walking renovations to: path. These were all fantastic amenities to have within a • The asphalt walking path (at least a large park, but they were hardly usable. portion of the complete loop)

With this park and others in desperate need of updates, • The soccer fields the City of Rensselaer, with the support of the Jasper Newton Foundation, put in place a multi-year plan to • The basketball courts

14 www.ihcda.in.gov “At Rensselaer Parks for the past few years we have taken part in National Trails Day. In years past we have hosted a Park Hop (walk/run) through our parks. This year’s celebration was a ribbon cutting commemorating the completion of Phase I of the Parks for People campaign. This phase included the installation of a lovely walking path throughout Foundation Park. We are ever grateful to all of the sponsors and individuals who have worked tirelessly to make this plan a reality. We will continue to celebrate each milestone as this monumental project moves forward. Stay tuned.” – Rensselaer Parks and Recreation

www.in.gov/myihcda 15 Five Questions with Alisa Burch Director of the Harrison County Public Library

By Ryan Hamlett, IHDCA Placemaking and Environmental Review Manager

RH: You were a part of a team of people who helped to nature guides, and seasonal develop the Harrison County Adventure Walk. Can you information to help walkers talk about how the idea for this project came to be? identify flora and fauna along the trail. The section of the AB: There’s an organization in Corydon called Leadership Indian Creek Trail that hosts Harrison County that has been offering an annual adult the Adventure Walk is paved leadership training program since 1995. Each leadership and fully accessible. And class works together to identify a need in the community walking the Trail is both fun and and then creates a project to address that need. During beneficial for families’ mental and an October 2018 meeting of the 2019 Leadership class, I physical health! To read the story and ® presented an idea for a project based on the StoryWalk walk back is at least a 2-mile walk. concept created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT which was developed in collaboration with the Vermont RH: You had your ribbon this past February. A few months Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard later, the world was a very different place than it was Library. The StoryWalk® concept combines three critical when you first began this project. Can you talk about elements for overall family health: early literacy learning, how the Adventure Walk has been helpful for families family engagement outdoors, and physical activity. throughout the COVID-19 crisis? Another Leadership class member, Christine Ransdell, presented a project that would allow families to checkout AB: Who knew when we were planning the Adventure backpacks equipped with binoculars and field guides to Walk that there would be a worldwide pandemic! The learn about nature along the Indian Creek Trail. The class Adventure Walk has been a nice and helpful addition to liked both proposals and decided to combine the two and call it the Harrison County Adventure Walk.

RH: What does one do on an Adventure Walk? Who is it for?

AB: The Adventure Walk is a fun, interactive, and educational experience that allows youth and families to explore the Indian Creek Trail, enjoy nature, improve literacy, and cut down on screen time. There are twenty framed panels spaced along the newest section of the Trail. Each of these frames holds a page of a children’s story, and as children, families, and adults walk the trail, they can read the story bit by bit. The panel contents are changed monthly so families can discover something new each month. Also, to complement the stories, families will be able to check-out backpacks from the Harrison County Public Library. Each backpack contains a pair of binoculars,

16 www.ihcda.in.gov in Indiana for health outcomes. The obesity rate was 36%, and 31% of our residents reported no leisure-time physical activity. The Adventure Walk provides a free fun physical activity to help get kids moving at an early age. And finally, the Adventure Walk exposes children to nature, and with the backpacks, they can explore the world around them. Creating a love of nature in children will help build a population that wants to protect our environment and preserve nature.

Alisa Burch is the Director of the Harrison County Public Library and president of the Board of Directors for the Indian Creek Trail. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Evansville and then a Master of Library Science from Indiana University at . Alisa took over the directorship of the HCPL in 2019 after having served as Youth Services Manager since 1997. The Harrison County Adventure our community during the lockdown quarantine period. Walk raised $10,230 from 25 donors via their Patronicity Families have been able to get out of the house and enjoy fundraising campaign and received a $9,200 matching the Adventure Walk while still practicing social distancing. grant from IHCDA. Leadership Harrison County offers And the Adventure Walk allowed the library to continue annual youth leadership and adult leadership training, to offer some service to Harrison County even while the the latter of which is entering its 26th year of facilitating library building itself was closed. This May, we had 11,609 civic leadership development within Harrison County.  people utilize the Walk.

RH: What kinds of long-term benefits do you think projects like the Adventure Walk offer to young minds and how do you think they benefit child and community alike?

AB: The Adventure Walk combines two of my passions, early literacy, and the Indian Creek Trail, and I believe it benefits children in many ways. First, they see reading a story as a fun, family event. Some run from frame to frame; others ride their bikes or are pushed in a stroller. Each of them is excited to get to the next page. Second, they are outside exercising. According to the 2018 rankings from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, Harrison County ranked 38th

www.in.gov/myihcda 17 Sitting on a strip of land between and Fountain Square, The Idle offers a unique view of Interstates 65 and 70 in Indianapolis. The Idle: A Great Place to Escape, Socially-distance and Get in Touch with Nature

espite all of the positive cultural changes 65 and 70. Now open for more than two years, The Idle, to Indiana neighborhoods, Thomas Battista continues to be a great place to escape, socially-distance, felt we needed more “destination” public and get in touch with nature. green spaces. In 2017, nearby neighborhood residents and businesses, in partnership with the Southeast But do not let us tell you, please hear from someone Neighborhood Development, Inc. (SEND), proposed the who has found The Idle to be a regular place to visit and creation of a bold and unique engaging urban green space enjoy the Fountain Square neighborhood: along the Cultural Trail, directly in-between interstates

18 www.ihcda.in.gov Fountain Square Just southeast of downtown, this “funky” Indianapolis neighborhood has a world of independent restaurants, live music, and performances, working artists with a vibrant arts scene, and one-of-a-kind stores that sell food, fashion, comics, musical instruments, fresh flowers, and more. If you visit Fountain Square any time of the day or night, you will find out why the neighborhood is anything but…square! 

www.in.gov/myihcda 19 AmeriCorps VISTAS: Helping Organizations Eradicate Poverty By Brad Meadows, IHCDA Marketing & Communications Director

meriCorps is a network of national service and supporter of the AmeriCorps VISTA program. More programs, made up of three primary than a dozen AmeriCorps VISTAs have come to IHCDA programs that each take a different and worked on a variety of projects. approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Now more than 1 million Many of them have continued working in the affordable members strong, individuals participating in the program housing and community development industry. Including commit their time to address critical community needs all three members of our 2015 cohort: Zach Gross, like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, Veronica Watson, and Jeff Zongolowicz. fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for After their one-year terms at IHCDA ended, Zach, disasters, and more. Veronica and Jeff each left IHCDA to pursue full-time One of their primary programs is AmeriCorps VISTA employment elsewhere. However, due to the positive (Volunteers in Service to America). Members participating experiences they had while working at IHCDA, they have in this program bring passion and perseverance where the each returned. needs are greatest: to organizations that help to eradicate IHCDA continues to actively support the AmeriCorp poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst VISTA program. Jeff and Zach each currently supervise for change, living and working alongside community an AmeriCorps VISTA and Veronica continues to actively members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges support the program. Toddeh Manoukian and Victoria and advance local solutions. Jennings serve as the Pilot Program Designer VISTA and Public, private, and faith-based nonprofit organizations Veteran Homelessness VISTA, respectively. as well as local or state agencies can become an AmeriCorps Ryan Hamlett, who also participated in the AmeriCorps VISTA sponsoring organization. By participating in the VISTA program, currently serves as IHCDA’s Placemaking program, organizations get the unique opportunity to and Environmental Review Manager. bring in talented, passionate people to work on highly impactful projects that expand their capacity. For more information about the AmeriCorps VISTA program, or to become a sponsor organization, please The Indiana Housing and Community Development click here.  Authority (IHCDA) has long been a sponsoring organization

20 www.ihcda.in.gov To celebrate their five-year anniversaries at IHCDA, we asked them questions about their AmeriCorps VISTA experience.

Zach Gross Veronica Watson Jeff Zongolowicz

What was your Continuum of Care Organizational Adaptive Reuse / Placemaking Development Fund VISTA AmeriCorps Development VISTA VISTA VISTA title?

What is your I have so many it’s really hard to One of my main projects I had the opportunity to have some fondest choose! I think the thing that about ended up being CreatINg great conversations with partners memory of my term that I enjoyed most was Places, IHCDA’s crowdgranting and met some great people who were your time as meeting so many people from all program for public spaces. After passionate about their work. Also, I a VISTA? over the state that were passionate several months of research and met my wife during that time. about ending homelessness. planning, having an entirely new I made many professional program approved by IHCDA’s relationships and friendships that I Board of Directors was an still have today. incredibly thrilling moment.

What made I always felt respected at IHCDA My two years in-between my As a VISTA at IHCDA I really enjoyed you decide and was always treated like any VISTA term and my return were the culture of the agency. I observed to come back other member of the staff, even spent with Patronicity, a small that it was a workplace where if you to IHCDA? though I was not. During my start-up based in Detroit that had projects you where passionate VISTA term, my supervisor and was contracted by IHCDA to about you had the freedom to pursue others went out of their way to help manage the CreatINg them. I also felt that the staff at make sure I was doing real and Places program. I enjoyed my IHCDA felt a passion for the mission of engaging work. time as a VISTA and a contractor the agency that I had not experienced for IHCDA immensely, so when it at other employers. was time for me to look for new opportunities, IHCDA was at the top of my list.

Why do you The VISTA program is a great Based on my experience VISTA was a great way to start my choose to resource for any government and the experience of many career and learn a bunch about the continue agency or non-profit organization. friends, VISTA can be a great affordable housing industry in a short supporting the The program provides a service opportunity for both the amount of time. The program also AmeriCorps member who works full-time for member to gain worthwhile allows the agency to pursue innovative VISTA a year to build capacity. They experience and the host site to projects that typically get put off program? can focus all their time on those gain a fresh outside perspective each year because of a shortage of projects that you really want to do from a pseudo-employee staff time. I also know several former but don’t have the time for. I think focused solely on big-picture VISTAs that got their start in housing the three of us are at IHCDA today projects. through the VISTA program at IHCDA because IHCDA values VISTA input and now are doing great work for and takes the program seriously, IHCDA or other organizations in the I am happy to do my part to industry and I didn’t want to see that continue that tradition at IHCDA. talent pipeline end.

Current title Supportive Housing Manager Community Programs Manager Housing Choice Programs Manager at IHCDA CSBG, IDA, NAP

Pictured from left to right are Zach Gross, Veronica Watson and Jeff Zongolowicz on their first day as AmeriCorps VISTAs at IHCDA in 2015. www.in.gov/myihcda 21 Pace Community Action Agency, Inc. developed a unique, self-designed experiential learning program for boys in 4th and 5th grade called Boys and Beyond. Dr. Bertha Proctor is pictured with boys participating in the program (pre-COVID-19). Pace Community Action Agency, Inc. Making a Difference During the COVID-19 Pandemic address the effects of COVID-19. “We are strong technology By Emily Krauser, Director of Community Programs users; therefore, in this unprecedented time, we were able to quickly pivot from serving many people in our offices to magine your local community coming together to serving customers remotely. When the president declared identify specific needs in your area, then addressing a national emergency, our linkages staff were in place – them in whatever way the community sees fit. taking calls, providing referrals and connecting customers to Who might fund something so grassroots, and so flexible services based on local needs.” without mandating how the funding must be used? And As part of the CARES Act, Pace received just shy of how would a community keep a process like this going for a $391,000 to address COVID-19-specific community needs. prolonged period? With that funding, Pace intends to assist families living One such organization—Pace Community Action—is part under 200% of the federal poverty level by helping with of Indiana’s 22-agency Community Action Network, funded emergency basic needs such as water bills, prescription through the Community Service Block Grant to provide costs, medical support, or work/employment supports. local needs-based services to assist low-income residents in They also plan to work with local small businesses to achieving self-sufficiency. provide supplemental food for families in need and assisting families trying to enroll in and maintain health What makes Community Action Agencies unique, CEO Dr. insurance. Bertha Proctor explains, is that “we are required to have a board structure in which 1/3 of the members are representatives from “During this pandemic, we are astute to the local needs. The the public sector, 1/3 are representatives of the low-income community members know about our services and continue community, and the remaining are members from the private to reach out to us for services, support and planning during sector.” She also notes that each Community Action Agency these challenging times.” conducts a Community Needs Assessment at least once every Every county in Indiana is served by a local Community three years, and that agencies in the network are able to learn Action Agency, and the state received a total of $14.5 million from their peer organizations not just locally, but nationally as in CARES Act funding to address local community needs as well. This allows agencies to “implement innovative strategies a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis. To learn more for communities, individuals, children and families.” about what is happening in your region, visit www.incap. Over the past six months, Pace has been working with its org/cap_agencies.html and contact your local Community local community in Southwestern Indiana to adapt to and Action Agency. 

Pictured on the left is Dr. Bertha Proctor. In the center are telehealth nurses. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pace helped women through their Health Connection program. On the right, is a picture of food from Procopio’s Pizza & Pasta. Pace has partnered with many local restau- rants like this one to provide food to area residents.

22 www.ihcda.in.gov Elaine’s New Role: Touting Tourism & More

n July 1, the current Indiana Office of Tourism a place they will enjoy with Development (IOTD) evolved into the newly great restaurants, outdoor created Indiana Destination Development adventures, and a thriving Corporation (IDDC). Governor Eric Holcomb community environment. appointed me as Secretary & CEO of IDDC on November Indiana has all that and 11, 2019. I previously served as president of the Indiana much more. We need to Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the state’s take those experiences and lead economic development agency. expose others to them. And that includes educating our The move to IDDC creates a seamless experience for current Indiana residents, our tourism and talent attraction partners. The mission along with out of state of the IDDC is to attract and retain business, talent, visitors. Indiana is the Elaine Bedel students, and visitors to our great state. I am fortunate best-kept secret in the Midwest, but we want that secret to already have a reliable and knowledgeable tourism shared! team by my side. I’m excited to lead this new initiative and look forward IDDC will execute a statewide and national campaign to seeing what the IDDC can accomplish with everyone to showcase Indiana and allow visitors to picture in the state focused on a common goal.  themselves living here. People want to locate and live in

www.in.gov/myihcda 23 30 South Meridian Street Suite 900 Indianapolis, IN 46204-0100