IHCDA COVID-19 update: A message from Jake
March is National Disabilities Awareness Month. Started in 1987, Disability Awareness Month was created to provide understanding, encouragement, and opportunities to help persons with disabilities to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Three years ago, we introduced Ramp Up Indiana. This program provides grants to not-for-profit organizations for the installation of exterior ramps for homeowners who need to improve the accessibility of their home.
This month, in the true spirit of Disability Awareness Month, we re-tooled our program policy to help streamline the process for eligible not-for-profits and support more construction of accessibility ramps. I encourage any organization interested in applying for a Ramp Up grant to contact our Real Estate Production Analyst Holly Lester.
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How the homeless community can still get their Economic Impact Payments (EIP)
The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has started sending out the latest round of federal Economic Impact Payments (EIP) to qualifying individuals and families last week. This money is either directly deposited into bank accounts, being sent in the form of a physical check, or in some instances sent in the form of an EIP debit card.
Individuals experiencing homelessness likely do not have a bank account or fixed address. Making it a challenge to receive their EIP. The first step for individuals in this situation is to find a tax preparer or location that will help them complete what is called an EIP return. Locations that will do this, oftentimes for free, can be found here.
Individuals who receive a physical check but do not have a bank account may still cash their EIP certain places including some financial institutions (bank or credit union), check cashing companies, or some retailers. The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions has encouraged Hoosiers to consider these tips before attempting to cash their payment.
Individuals interested in checking to see when and how their EIP was sent should check out the Get My Payment tool on the IRS website.
The Site Visit
I would like to congratulate those of you that correctly identified last week’s Site Visit (pictured top left). The Retreat at Mineral Springs is comprised of three historic buildings that were renovated into 38 units of housing in Martinsville. The building pictured is located on the southwest corner of the court house square. In addition to helping meet the city's need for affordable senior housing, this investment has served as a catalyst for the revitalization of their downtown.
You can really see the beautiful fall foliage in the background of this week’s Site Visit (pictured bottom left). Like last week, if you can identify the name of the site, the location, and any significance it is making to the community please email me at: jsipe@ihcda.in.gov.
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Connecting the Dots
Last year, the Harrison Center for the Arts led a CreatINg Places crowdfunding campaign aimed at Connecting the Dots to equitable opportunity in Indianapolis. They successfully met their fundraising goal of $50,000 and received a matching grant of $50,000 from IHCDA. In the photo (left) you will see hoop skirts that were created as a fun and artistic way to socially distance at a public event related to the campaign.
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Thanks as always for your continued partnership, support, and interest in the work we are doing at IHCDA. Please continue to reach out to me or anyone on the IHCDA team if we can do anything to help or support your organization. We are #INthistogether.
 J. Jacob Sipe
Executive Director
 
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