Writer / Julie Yates
Hamilton County is a sought-after location to live due to its high-ranking school systems, safe neighborhoods, access to health care and family friendly activities. However, according to the August 2026 Zillow Home Value Index, the average home in the county is $465,109. That price tag puts living where they work out of reach for many of the people who help make the community such a desirable place to call home. Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development (HAND), Inc., a nonprofit organization, is striving to provide sustainable housing solutions for seniors and families of low and moderate incomes.
A 2022 study commissioned by the Hamilton County Housing Collaborative concluded that the area’s housing market offers limited variety, basically higher-priced single-family homes and upscale apartments. It indicated a lack of appropriate housing for people employed in retail sales, customer service representatives, office clerks, food servers and general laborers such as those who stock and load freight. If a section of the labor force is unable to afford living in the community, certain jobs could be unfilled, tax revenue could decrease, and economic growth could be slowed. It could be harder to attract companies willing to invest in the community.
“People who make Hamilton County a good place, can’t afford to live here,” explains Andrea Davis, executive director of HAND. An example is the Taco Bell near Grand Park, which has struggled with staffing issues. “Why should someone pass by other places of employment just to work there, especially with gas prices what they are?”
“Another aspect to this is when people’s housing needs change, they still want to live in the community. In the future if I need to move to a single-story home, I don’t want to have to change communities. People shouldn’t have to move when they retire or their circumstances change. Likewise, it’s hard for recent college graduates just starting out to find an affordable apartment here,” says Davis.
Established as a 501(c)(3) in 2003, HAND, has gradually made steps to provide affordable housing in the county, but the need continues to grow. The organization initially focused on seniors with fixed incomes but expanded to include mid-income families. It utilizes federal funding and grants to rehabilitate existing structures as well as new construction.
Over the years, 12 properties have been launched. They include: 10-unit Home Place Garden in Carmel, 33-unit duplex community Hickory Commons in Lebanon and 11 two- and three-bedroom new construction Cumberland Cottages in Fishers. The newest property is Home Place Duets, in Carmel. It includes six three-bedroom homes for families referred by Prevail and Family Promise of Hamilton County.
“People don’t think about the need for affordable housing unless it impacts them. COVID made a lot of people realize struggling monetarily isn’t a character flaw; life happens. Many believe in the power that affordable housing can have on building a good community, but they want it built somewhere else. They don’t know what to expect until people move in and they see it’s attractive,” says Davis.
There are several ways residents who see the need to provide a variety of housing to ensure a vibrant economy can help. Donations to HAND are tax deductible and volunteers are always needed. Organizations have adopted properties, offering quarterly landscape care, for example. Other groups have done one-time mulching or spring clean-up. Carmel United Methodist Church has provided welcome baskets containing such things as cleaning supplies, toilet paper and snacks.
On November 5, at Delaware Township Community Center, Merchants Bank is sponsoring the annual HAND Trivia Night fundraiser. Teams will compete for five rounds of general trivia. It’s a fun night of friendly competition complete with prizes. This year the focus is on children’s books and participants are encouraged to wear costumes and bring books to donate. A registration link can be found on the HAND website.
Those interested in living in a HAND community can fill out an interest form found on the website. There is a wait list adhering to a first come, first served basis. However, properties are matched to income.
“Housing is a topic that can seem like a political issue, but it is a fundamental a part of our society. People want to live where they go to school, shop and work. One size does not fit all; we can’t just build high end houses and luxury apartments and have good communities,” says Davis.
For more information view HAND on Facebook and visit handincorporated.org.
