Indianapolis, IN Vacant to Vibrant program converts city properties into affordable housing
City officials approved $4.5 million in federal ARPA funds to turn city-owned lots into new homes. Vacant to Vibrant opens properties in the Martindale Brightwood, Near Eastside, and Near Northwest to development. Proposals must be approved by neighborhood advisory committees and meet infill requirements. Eligible renters and buyers earn less than 80% of the area median income. This program works toward the policy recommendations of the city's Anti-Displacement Agenda published in 2021.
Indianapolis, IN
United States
Indianapolis, IN installs Lumin-Air UV-C light filtration systems across its public transit fleet
Transit agency IndyGo partnered with Lumin-Air to combat airborne transmission of diseases like COVID-19 on buses. A MERV-13 equivalent filter and UV-C system remove pathogens and allergens from the air processed by a vehicle's HVAC unit. This process occurs every two minutes, thus supporting healthy commutes after the end of the federal mask mandate. Installation on all fixed-route and paratransit buses makes Indianapolis the first city with full-fleet use of UV-C light filtration.
Indianapolis, IN
United States
Indianapolis, IN launched “Thriving Buildings” program to reduce energy usage of local businesses
The city of Indianapolis's Office of Sustainability launched the “Thriving Buildings” program to reduce carbon emissions and help building owners save money. The program, which helps organizations track and reduce energy usage will eventually be mandatory for all local businesses. Approximately 187 local businesses have signed up to participate in the program significantly exceeding the city's initial expectations.
Indianapolis, IN
United States
Indianapolis, IN Peacemaker program reduces gun violence providing guidance to high-risk individuals
The City of Indianapolis launched the Peacemaker program to reduce gun violence by identifying high-risk residents based on certain factors such as gang affiliation, unemployment, and poor education then providing them with guidance. The program includes three different kinds of trained peacemakers interrupters diffuse potentially deadly situations, outreach workers assess which individuals require personalised support as "fellows", and life coaches provide support to "fellows" in the program.
Indianapolis, IN
United States
Indianapolis, IN Driven 2 Success program fills gaps in public transit for Far Eastside households
Transit agency IndyGo and Pathway Resource Center offer on-demand shuttle rides through the program. Far Eastside residents arrange drop-offs at locations within a five-mile radius of the center. Driven 2 Success supports essential trips like doctor visits, interviews, and childcare made difficult by existing routes. Each round-trip costs $2 thanks to grants from the United Way of Central Indiana. The program also makes better use of shuttles than fixed routes by combining trips.
Indianapolis, IN
United States
Indianapolis, IN partnered with the Regenstrief Institute to reduce COVID-19 health inequities
The Marion County Public Health Department partnered with Regenstrief Institute, a biomedical informatics research organization, and local community groups to reduce health inequities and racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 testing. Regenstrief used electronic health records from the Indiana Health Information Exchange to build a dashboard which allowed health officials to target COVID-19 testing sites in locations with at-risk populations in real-time.
Indianapolis, IN
United States
Indianapolis, IN unanimously passed a resolution condemning anti-Asian harassment and racism
The Indianapolis City-County Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning the anti-Asian harassment and racism resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution encourages local police to investigate and document reports of crimes and threats against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community. The resolution also urges city agencies to combat misinformation and discrimination targeting the Asian community.
Indianapolis, IN
United States