INDIANAPOLIS – Those living in the St. Clair Place neighborhood have seen lots of affordable home projects completed over the past few months, and this summer they will welcome their 100th build.
“What we’re trying to do is overwhelm blight and create new opportunities for homeownership,” said John Franklin Hay, executive director of NEAR, a non-profit with a mission of renewing Indy neighborhoods.
Those developments helped people like 23-year-old Josh Riddick purchase his first home.
“It’s a place I’ve come to know,” said Riddick. “I want to invest in this community and having this type of home allows me to do that. It allows me to get to know people, serve people and commit to the neighborhood.”
Hay said because of the revitalization, neighbors have gotten to know one another.
“Having life come back into this neighborhood builds community,” said Riddick.
NEAR will to continue to develop affordable housing but also has plans to build a teacher’s village aimed at retaining IPS educators.
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