What is being dubbed as "an affordable multi-family housing project that offers in house health care services" is being planned in Lebanon by Indianapolis developer Herman and Kittle Properties, Inc. (HKP) and local organizations.
The developer has collaborated with Youth and Family Health Network (YFHN) and Integrative Wellness (InWell) to bring a solution for those in recovery and for individuals struggling to find affordable housing.
The three came up with the proposal after their work together at the 2018 Indiana Permanent Supportive Housing Institute. The institute was a five-month series of workshops and activities through which teams developed individualized supportive housing plans for their respective communities.
The proposed development, in a grassy lot next to O’Reilly Auto Parts at 607 and 610 W. South St., was approved for the first stage in the development process by the Lebanon Board of Zoning Appeals earlier this week. The BZA approved a zoning change from Neighborhood Business to Multi-Family housing with a vote of 4-1.
Though the development is only a preliminary plan on file, HKP Development Director Mike Rodriguez asked for the rezone now so the company can apply for tax credits toward its construction costs.
The proposal includes 54 apartments, with 24 one-bedroom and 30 two-bedroom units planned. Of the units, 13 will be reserved for individuals in recovery who are at risk for homelessness.
YFHN Executive Director Michele Standeford said the development is not a half-way house, but rather supportive housing. The housing will be permanent, independent living units that provide easy access to services for those who may not have reliable transportation. Tenants in recovery will pay rent and will be subject to the terms of their lease agreements.
The supportive term refers to the in-house health care services that will be provided for all who reside in the complex. Standeford said a mental health office space, medical exam room and a meeting room for group therapy sessions will be provided at no additional cost to residents.
The development’s partnership with YFHN and InWell will ensure that all residents also have access to wraparound services from other local organizations.
Rodriguez, a Zionsville resident, said the development is also hoped to help reduce recidivism in Boone County.
“We are providing a place to live alongside on-site services,” Rodriguez said. “We are hoping this will help break that cycle.”
Standeford said the development more generally came about to aid low-income individuals who struggle to find housing they can afford, but also to help recovering addicts who have trouble finding local housing after leaving their recovery facility.
The apartments will be priced based on a tenant’s income: one-bedroom units will range from $434 to $869 per month and two-bedroom units will range from $521 to $1,042.
Than Lenox, a Lebanon resident, spoke out against the development, saying it would bring more low-income housing to the city but would offer no solution for the city’s wage gap.
“We need low-income housing, but that’s too bad,” Lenox said. “What we really need is higher paying jobs.”
The development will be HKP’s second in Lebanon. The company also operates Canterbury House Apartments at 515 Dogwood Dr., near Abner Longley Park. Rodriguez said that complex is a mix of affordable and market rate units.