RDOOR Housing Corporation

Three staff members from RDOOR Housing Corporation, part of the HomeNow Indy Initiative, attended the 2025 Innovations and Solutions for Ending Unsheltered Homelessness Conference! Breya Birdsong, Melissa Bell, and Cheyenne Morrow represented the HomeNow Indy Initiative and RDOOR Housing Corporation at this important event. They spent time with national leaders, exploring new strategies, and gaining valuable insights to bring back to our community. Together, with the HomeNow Indy Initiative, we remain committed to strengthening our collective efforts to end homelessness in Indianapolis.

Exciting News from RDOOR! We’re thrilled to announce that Spires Senior Village, has received funding?awards?from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and?Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). Thanks to IHCDA's $13 million award and a $6 million grant from HUD, we’re set to transform three vacant historic buildings on the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg campus — Olivia Hall, Theresa Hall, and the Chapel into 65 modern, accessible, and attainable housing units for seniors aged 62 and older, meeting the growing housing needs of Franklin County’s aging population. At RDOOR, we’re committed to building communities where everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. We’re proud to be part of this impactful initiative, contributing to the prosperity and vibrancy of Hoosier communities. Stay tuned for more updates with this project!

Our office is closed today in observance of Presidents Day. We’ll be back to normal business hours tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding! Fun Fact: Presidents Day originally celebrated George Washington’s birthday, but now honors all U.S. presidents! ??

We're excited to recognize Nicholas Hunot, Ph.D., our Chief Operations Officer, whose dedication and expertise have made a remarkable impact on our community and beyond. Since joining RDOOR in 2022, Nicholas has been a driving force in expanding affordable housing across Indiana and beyond. He played a key role in the City’s Housing Hub project and Master Lease program, ensuring RDOOR operates smoothly while delivering top-tier services to the communities it serves. Before RDOOR, Nicholas spearheaded efforts to transform Indianapolis' landscape, overseeing the City’s land bank,?Renew Indianapolis. Over six years, he facilitated the sale of over 1,000 vacant and abandoned properties—injecting $90 million into neighborhood revitalization. His work not only reshaped communities but also paved the way for new affordable housing by strategically connecting development partners with underutilized properties. A recognized leader in policy and advocacy, Nicholas has been instrumental in shaping legislation that strengthens land banks across Indiana. He served on the Indiana Land Bank Legislative Committee alongside Prosperity Indiana and the Center for Community Progress, as well as on the National Land Bank Network Steering Committee. His expertise has also led him to consult for other Indiana land banks and present at national conferences. Nicholas brings an impressive academic background, holding a Bachelor’s in Architectural Design and Urban Planning?from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in Legal History?from Indiana University Bloomington. Before stepping into the world of community development, he sharpened his skills as a political analyst and researcher, focusing on policy development and strategic planning. With his deep expertise, passion for housing, and commitment to innovative solutions, Nicholas is a key asset to RDOOR. We’re fortunate to have him on our team, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in affordable housing.

??Introducing Cheyenne Morrow – Community Programs and Engagement Manager ?? Cheyenne joined us in April 2024 and brings an extensive and diverse skill set to her role, playing a vital part in our mission to combat homelessness. In her current role, Cheyenne plays dual roles, including coordinating Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) programs and serving as a key team member of the Housing Acquisitions Team (HAT). She also leads HomeNow Indy Initiative activities, acting as the primary point of contact for email and phone communications, ensuring smooth coordination and support across various housing initiatives. Before joining RDDOR, Cheyenne served as the Director of Housing Programs for a survivors of Domestic Violence, where she managed PBHCV, Rapid Rehousing, and Scattered-site Transitional Housing units. She worked to ensure housing stability through case management and support services for individuals facing housing instability. With over 7 years of experience in housing advocacy, Cheyenne has honed her expertise in housing advocacy, crisis intervention, trauma-informed support, case management, and safety planning. She is also passionate about networking and community engagement, successfully fostering relationships with landlords, securing rental units, and organizing community events to raise awareness of homelessness. As an experienced housing and human services professional, Cheyenne is committed to eradicating homelessness by providing crucial housing advocacy, crisis intervention, and program oversight. Her ability to build landlord partnerships, foster community collaborations, and ensure compliance with HUD regulations makes her an invaluable addition to our team. Welcome aboard, Cheyenne!

Spotlight on Shannon: A Dedication to Service and Professional Excellence Shannon joined the RDOOR team in 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience in bookkeeping and affordable housing. Her role within the accounting team is integral, where she assists with record-keeping and processing project claims, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. With over eight years of experience, Shannon has a strong background in managing Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties and providing bookkeeping services to Indiana businesses. Before joining RDOOR, Shannon served as a Property Manager in Boone and Montgomery counties in Indiana. Her commitment to helping those in need is evident, as she has consistently worked to provide affordable housing options to the community. A consummate professional, Shannon combines her expertise with a passion for improving the lives of others. Shannon graduated from Harrison College with a degree in office management and accounting, equipping her with the necessary skills to thrive in the field. Outside of her professional career, she has dedicated her time to volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, where she contributed to building two homes for low-income families—providing a literal and figurative doorway to a brighter future. Looking ahead, Shannon Herzog is planning an exciting upcoming project where she will offer tax services for free to low-income families next year. Her compassion and desire to make a positive impact continue to drive her work and personal endeavors. We are fortunate to have Shannon as part of our team at RDOOR, where her professionalism and heart for service make her an invaluable asset.

?? Celebrating Transit Equity & Empowering Our Community ?? It was an honor to attend Transit Equity Day & Grantee Celebration with the IndyGo Foundation today. This event highlighted the importance of transit accessibility and equity in our community. A special thank you to IndyGo Foundation for awarding us the IndyGo Foundation Mobility Access Fund Grant! ?? This grant is crucial in helping to reduce the financial barriers to public transportation, enabling organizations like ours to better support individuals as they seek employment, healthcare, food, education, and other essential services. We’re proud to be part of a movement that promotes equity and mobility for all. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact on our community’s well-being and opportunities. Thank you again to IndyGo Foundation for your partnership and commitment to making public transportation more accessible to everyone!

We’re thrilled to announce that Healthy Beginnings at Home (HBAH) intervention strategy has been selected as a?Promising Practice?by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) — a national recognition! Healthy Beginnings at Home is a collaborative pilot program with IU and CareSource, providing 24 months of support to pregnant women in Marion County who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Along with receiving these services, participants also contribute to research to understand the impact of stable housing and social support on maternal and infant health. A big thank you to the RDOOR Housing Corporation's Programs Team, Housing Acquisition Team, and Navigation Team for their dedication and hard work in making HBAH a success along side the IU and CareSource teams! Please?visit AMCHP?to learn more about what this recognition entails! https://lnkd.in/gss-fRRB

We are proud to highlight Breya Birdsong, the dedicated Vice President of Rental Assistance Programs with the HomeNow Indy Initiative. In her crucial role, Breya oversees the Grant Administration, Centralized Rental Assistance, and Housing Acquisition components, ensuring that individuals and families experiencing homelessness have access to the resources they need to secure stable housing. Breya is deeply committed to making homelessness brief, rare, and nonrecurring. She helps increase the capacity for grant management and program administration throughout the Continuum of Care (COC) by collaborating on initiatives that improve various rental assistance programs. Her work is focused on fostering equitable outcomes, especially for those who lack the necessary resources to achieve long-term stability. Breya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, is certified in Case Management from Boston University, and is a certified HCV Executive Management housing advocate. With her extensive background in social services and affordable housing, Breya’s passion for serving others is evident in the lasting impact she’s made at both the state level and within her community. In addition to her work at HomeNow Indy, Breya serves as an elected member of the Blueprint Council, where she represents direct service providers. The Blueprint Council is the delegated authority and decision-making body for the Indianapolis Continuum of Care (CoC), responsible for setting strategy, defining annual system priorities, monitoring progress, and aligning resources to implement solutions effectively. Breya’s role on the council allows her to directly influence policy decisions and funding allocations to better serve vulnerable populations in Indianapolis. She is a vital part of the HomeNow Indy Initiative’s mission to help neighbors experiencing homelessness get and stay stably housed. We are proud to have Breya on the team as she continues her tireless work to help end homelessness in our community.

It’s my pleasure to introduce Barb Williams, a valued member of our Housing Acquisition Team at RDOOR. Barb’s journey to this role is both inspiring and impactful. After spending years as a dedicated wife and mother, Barb found her calling later in life when she began working as an aftercare case manager at a family shelter. She spent five years there, supporting individuals in need before taking some time to travel and explore the western United States, visiting national parks. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Barb’s sense of community drew her back into action. She played a crucial role in a hotel-based housing initiative at the Crown Plaza, supporting residents with housing and essential services during a time of crisis. Her efforts, along with her team, became a model for other cities across the country, and the impact of their work continues to inspire her to this day. Now, as part of the Housing Acquisition Team at RDOOR, Barb focuses on building relationships with landlords, managing the housing search platform Padmission, and collaborating with agencies, shelters, and case managers to ensure quick responses to housing emergencies. Barb is passionate about helping others, and her commitment is rooted in the inspiring words of her personal heroes, President Jimmy Carter and Mahatma Gandhi. She continues to serve her community with the same dedication and humility that has guided her throughout her life. We’re fortunate to have Barb on our team, and her work continues to make a meaningful difference for those in need.