Martindale Brightwood Named Lift Indy Neighborhood
(photo courtesy: Wes Mills)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood as the second Lift Indy area for 2021, joining the Near North Corridor. The city says each area will receive an anticipated $3.5 million in federal grant funding over the next three years.
Lift Indy is a community development investment program intended to support revitalization in Indianapolis neighborhoods. Hogsett said the program was expanded from one to two neighborhoods to help address the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME Investment Partnership Program and the Community Development Block Grant program.
“These funds will go toward a variety of resources aimed at keeping residents in the homes they own and in the community they love,” said Hogsett. “This year, we took a unique approach to expand the program and adapt the application process to focus on projects well-positioned to help residents affected by the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. We’re excited to name the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood as the second 2021 Lift Indy recipient.”
The Martindale Brightwood neighborhood joins four other previously designated Lift Indy neighborhoods, which include Near North Corridor, Monon16, the Old Southside, and East 10th Street.
The Polis Center at IUPUI assisted the Department of Metropolitan Development to analyze data and potential factors to measure the impact of the pandemic on neighborhoods across Indianapolis.
To identify the Lift Indy areas, the city says it used data provided by the Reinvestment Fund to identify locations where multi-year funding would drive market activity and investment while maintaining affordability.
“These grants will allow us to uplift and stabilize the neighborhood, providing critical resources as neighbors recover from the pandemic,” said Amina Pierson, executive director for the Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corp.
Lift Indy supported projects and programs include:
- Martindale Brightwood Education Zone Housing Village Initiative will be led by the Edna Martin Christian Center and will provide wraparound services and programming, such as employment and career coaching, financial coaching, credit and asset-building programs, and adult education programs.
- Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corp. will lead a Homeowner Repair Program to provide long-term residents resources for roofing and gutter repairs; sidewalk, porch, and patio repair; accessibility; siding repair and replacement; window repair and replacement; insulation; HVAC replacement and repair.
- Renew Indianapolis will preserve affordable housing for current homeowners through the Edge Fund – Mortgage Refinance Loan Program that will enable long-term residents to continue to enjoy their neighborhood.
- Renew Indianapolis will lead the Edge Fund-Affordable Mortgage Loan Program, will help make homeownership more attainable through below-market rate mortgage loans for up to 10 low-to moderate income homebuyers in the neighborhood.
- Renew Indianapolis will lead a New Construction Homeownership Program that will create homeownership opportunities for at least 10 low-income households.