HAND, Inc. Rolls Out New Housing Options in Hamilton County

Since 2000, Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development, Inc. (HAND) has been making a strong affordable housing investment in Hamilton County. HAND invests in neighborhoods, provides housing solutions, and builds partnerships to improve the lives of those living in Hamilton County.

While preserving historic buildings and homes along the way, HAND can provide permanent affordable rental properties for seniors, families, and young adults. Through public awareness campaigns that promote housing affordability and help meet the needs of low-income residents, HAND can create attainable housing options for survivors of domestic violence and people with disabilities.

Andrea Davis, executive director of HAND, joined the organization as an outreach and fundraising coordinator in 2016 because she wanted to work somewhere that made a positive impact on the community.

“Housing is a fundamental human need,” Davis says. “Where we live impacts every aspect of our lives: our health, our safety, our education and our prosperity. Thriving communities like ours need a wide range of housing options to accommodate residents throughout their lives.”

Residents recently began moving into the organization’s first development in Fishers, Cumberland Cottages. The 11-unit rental community features two- and three-bedroom duplexes and detached cottages designed for families. Each unit has two full bathrooms and a one-car garage. The property also has a community garden and rain barrels that residents can use.

Davis also highlights HAND’s new Noblesville development. “Called Plum Prairie, the four-unit rental property is located on historic Pleasant Street, west of 8th Street,” Davis says. “The City of Noblesville gave HAND three 100-plus-year-old homes it had acquired for the Reimagine Pleasant Street project, which was subsequently shifted slightly north.”

Two of the homes, a single-family house and duplex, were updated and remodeled. The third, which had structural issues, was demolished and a new home was built in its place.

HAND now owns more than 150 units in Hamilton, Boone and Tipton counties, providing affordable rental homes for seniors and others who are being priced out of market-rate housing. Housing costs are growing much faster than incomes, which means more people need affordable options.

Local residents can support HAND by becoming more informed on the mission and advocating for it, as well as attending local fundraisers like trivia night.

“We host a Suburban Housing Conference each spring to educate the community about our housing needs and exploring potential solutions,” Davis says. Community members can help HAND by advocating for affordable housing at the event by telling public officials “Yes in My Back Yard,” instead of “Not in My Back Yard.”

For trivia lovers, or those who just want to support a good cause, HAND’s trivia night is coming up on November 15 at the Delaware Township Community Center in Fishers. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the team trivia competition beginning at 7 p.m. Dinner will be provided along with a cash bar and raffle (pending Gaming Commission approval). More info and tickets are available at handincorporated.org/2024-trivia-night. 

Additionally, local residents can support HAND with donations of time or money.

If you or someone you know is in need of affordable housing, the first step is contacting the HAND leasing office at 317-758-5180. The leasing staff will collect some basic information and get the potential resident on a waiting list for their desired property. When a unit becomes available, the potential resident will fill out an application and provide documentation to verify income.