HAND Inc.

?? Learn More About the Proposed Fishers Rental Cap: Two Events Today! ?? The City of Fishers is considering a rental cap ordinance that could impact housing availability and affordability in our community. If you want to learn more and share your thoughts, there are two opportunities happening today: ?? Virtual Webinar – Hosted by the City of Fishers ?? 12:00 PM (Noon) ?? Online - Webinar recording: https://lnkd.in/esT6N5ze ??? In-Person Town Hall – This is citizen-led ?? 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM ?? Hamilton East Public Library, Center/Stage Meeting Room These events are a great way to hear more about the proposal and ask questions. Your voice matters in shaping the future of housing in Fishers! Thoughts from HAND?? At HAND, we are focused on ensuring a full range of housing options for residents at all stages of life. While we understand the City of Fishers’ goal of encouraging homeownership, we have concerns about the unintended consequences this policy could have on housing accessibility and affordability. ? A rental cap at the subdivision level could limit options for individuals and families who rely on rental housing - whether they are young professionals, seniors looking to downsize, or workers needing housing near their jobs. Restricting rental availability can also drive-up rental prices, making it harder for those who cannot afford to buy a home to remain in Fishers. Additionally, there is no clear data supporting the idea that rental properties negatively impact home values or neighborhood quality, and existing city ordinances already provide mechanisms to address property maintenance issues. ? We encourage a more balanced approach that protects homeownership opportunities without reducing rental options. Targeted solutions, such as strengthening enforcement of existing property maintenance codes and addressing concerns with large corporate landlords, would be more effective in maintaining neighborhood integrity while keeping housing accessible. ? We are closely following this proposal and advocating for solutions that support both homeownership and rental stability. We hope the upcoming town hall provides clarity on how this ordinance could impact Fishers residents.

The 2025 Suburban Housing Conference is officially open for registration! ?? Join us on April 30, 2025, at the IMMI Conference Center in Westfield for actionable solutions and meaningful discussions in affordable housing. ?? Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to engage with industry leaders, community advocates, and developers. ?? Registration: https://bit.ly/SHC2025

Did you know? ?? The building that now houses HAND's offices at 347 S. 8th Street in the City of Noblesville was home to the first African American-owned business in Hamilton County, Indiana! Built between 1898 and 1905, it was home to Roper’s Grocery Store starting in the 1920's. At that time, it also housed boarding rooms on the second story. We’re proud to be a part of this historic building's continued legacy as we work to provide affordable housing and strengthen our community. #HANDHistory #AffordableHousing #CommunityPride #housing4all

We're #hiring a new Controller to manage finances and help drive our mission of creating affordable housing solutions in our community. If you have a background in finance, a passion for nonprofit work, and a commitment to making a difference, we want to hear from you! Apply today or share this post with your network. ??

This morning, we had the opportunity to speak with the Fishers Rotary Club about housing challenges in our community and how we’re working toward solutions. These conversations are essential to building awareness and collaboration around housing affordability. If your organization, business, or civic group is interested in learning more about housing needs in our region, we’d love to bring this discussion to you. We can tailor a presentation to fit your audience - whether it’s data-driven insights, policy discussions, or real stories from those impacted. Let’s start the conversation! Reach out or visit www.handincorporated.org to schedule a time.

?? Save the Date! ?? The Suburban Housing Conference presented by Hamilton County Community Foundation is back for its 11th year on April 30 at the IMMI Conference Center in Westfield! ??? This highly anticipated event brings together community leaders, developers, and anyone interested in learning more about housing solutions. We’re excited to welcome the Housing Narrative Lab, who will lead a critical conversation on shifting the narrative around affordable housing! Elected officials can attend for free! Stay tuned - agenda announcements coming soon! ?? Mark your calendars and don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation. Sponsorship opportunities are now open! #SuburbanHousing #AffordableHousing #RegionalSolutions #HousingConference #housing4all

? Today is the LAST DAY to Vote for HAND! ?

?? Vote for HAND in the Best of Suburban North Indy 2025! We’re excited to share that HAND Inc. has been nominated for Best Nonprofit in Current Publishing's Best of Suburban North Indy 2025 contest! ?? Affordable housing is essential to strong, thriving communities, and this recognition helps raise awareness for the work we do across Hamilton, Boone, and Tipton counties. We’d love your support—please vote DAILY for HAND under Services → Nonprofit Organizations! You can vote once per day through February 11. ?? Vote here: https://lnkd.in/ghrFDPsK ?? Voting Round: January 29 - February 11, 2025 ?? Winners Announced: March 18, 2025 Help us spread the word! Tag a friend, share this post, and let’s make sure HAND gets the recognition it deserves! ???? #housing4all #BestOfSuburbanIndy #VoteForHAND #AffordableHousingMatters

Exciting News from HAND! ?? We’re taking a big step forward—HAND is transitioning to self-managed property management by March 31, 2025! This change, approved by our Board of Directors in October, allows us to provide more responsive service, better financial oversight, and a stronger connection to our mission of delivering quality affordable housing options. By bringing property management in-house, we can ensure that our residents receive the care and support they deserve while improving operational efficiency. As part of this transition, we’re growing our team and are now hiring key positions to help us continue our work in creating thriving communities. ?? Learn more and read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gjVEZGw7 Thank you to our residents, partners, and supporters for being part of this journey! ???? #housing4all

?? The Impact of Investor-Owned Single-Family Rentals in Central Indiana ?? A recent report by the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) reveals that nearly half of all single-family rental homes in Marion, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, and Johnson counties are owned by investment companies. These corporate investors are changing the dynamics of the housing market in Central Indiana, with more than 40,000 homes now owned by out-of-state entities. ?? Key insights: - In Hamilton County, 42% of single-family rental homes are owned by investors, equating to over 4,500 homes in one of the state’s most desirable areas. - Investors target affordable homes under $250,000, outcompeting buyers with cash offers. - Median rent for single-family homes is $1,800/month, further straining affordability for potential homebuyers. This shift poses challenges: - Crowding out first-time homebuyers: Investors often purchase homes under $250,000, reducing opportunities for individuals to build equity. - Maintenance concerns: Reports show investor-owned properties may lack necessary repairs, leading to safety violations. - Evictions and high rents: Tenants face higher eviction rates and unaffordable leases. Organizations like HAND emphasize the importance of maintaining a balance in housing options, so everyone has access to a place to call home. Let’s work together to address these issues and ensure our communities thrive. ?? Read The Indianapolis Star article and join the conversation. https://lnkd.in/g-ceN2Je How can we promote sustainable, affordable housing while navigating these challenges? Drop your thoughts below! ??