An area of attention for the FHCCI’s Inclusive Communities Program has been expanding homeownership, supporting housing stability, combatting displacement, and advancing neighborhood revitalization in Indianapolis neighborhoods of color. These activities have been a core activity of the FHCCI since 2013 and remain such. Through fair housing resolutions dedicated for community relief and the investment of significant FHCCI staff time, the FHCCI has funded 45 separate projects in partnership with 28 business and/or nonprofit organizations, a total investment of $70.4 million. Through community feedback received, the FHCCI has prioritized the following community needs and local priorities for support:

• Mortgage Loan Originations: Over $42 million in mortgage loan originations in Indianapolis Black neighborhoods through partnership with two area mortgage lenders, resulting in increased homeownership opportunities.
• Mortgage Loan Subsidies: Over $2.5 million in mortgage loan subsidies provided to home seekers in Indianapolis Black neighborhoods to assist with downpayment and closing costs, through a partnership with two area mortgage lenders, making it easier for those without generational wealth or access to cash to become a homeowner.
• Bank Branch Openings: Three full-service bank branches opened in Indianapolis’ Black neighborhoods between 2019-2024 through partnerships with two area mortgage lenders. Branches were opened in the International Marketplace, the Meadows, and Martindale Brightwood neighborhoods, the latter two of which were banking deserts.
• Affordable Housing Development: Over $21 million in loans to support the creation of new multi-family affordable housing development in Indianapolis Black neighborhoods, through partnerships with two area mortgage lenders.
• Homeowner Repair/Accessibility Improvements/Home Retrofitting: Over $1.6 million invested through area nonprofits to help 193 Indianapolis homeowners continue living safely and independently in their homes, reduced displacement due to code violations or harmful conditions, and increased property values.
• New Home Construction/Vacant Rehab for Sale: Over $1 million invested into new construction of owner occupied homes on vacant lots or rehab of vacant homes for sale resulting in a total of 11 housing units (single-family and duplexes) available for new homeowners in Indianapolis Black neighborhoods. Changing vacant lots and homes to owner occupied residences help the overall neighborhood, plus build generational wealth through homeownership and raise property values across the neighborhood.
• Neighborhood Stabilization: Invested $804,000 through area nonprofits to modify vacant lots into pocket parks, creation of a summer Farmer’s Market/Biking Camp, a neighborhood arts project, Urban Teaching Gardens, helping an area Little League with new uniforms and equipment, assisting an area youth STEM project through the purchase of new 3D printers, a legal services project on substandard housing assistance, and more! These projects reduced environmental hazards, improved green spaces, provided afterschool programs, and fostered neighborhood pride.
• Consumer Education: Invested $600,000 to promote financial wellbeing, homeownership, and knowledge of fair housing laws, as well as the creation of an online data portal for public access of census and HMDA data, creation of housing and mortgage lending reports, a billboard campaign to bring awareness of housing barriers, and more!
• Eviction Prevention: Invested $200,000 in area programs serving families at risk of homelessness to move directly into apartment units, ensuring the family could stay together instead of being split up, provided an apartment for stability as they got back on their feet, and supportive services.

The FHCCI’s inclusive communities investment was also highlighted in the August 2016 report by the National Fair Housing Alliance, INVESTING IN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES: How Fair Housing Organizations Foster Diverse and Stable Neighborhoods Using the Federal Fair Housing Act (pages 22 & 27).

The FHCCI has also worked to expand opportunities for those with disabilities encountering structural barriers:

• In 2022, the FHCCI awarded grants to two nonprofit organizations for $35,000 each to expand housing modifications for accessibility and safety. One project focused on Indianapolis while the other focused on the Fort Wayne area.
• In 2018, the FHCCI negotiated a donation of $52,500 to a local disability nonprofit organization to assist persons with disabilities with housing-related needs.
• The FHCCI also sought and received grant funds from 2012-2016 to assist homeowners with disabilities with needed repairs to allow for aging in place in their own homes.