8/14/2006
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-6709 |
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City, businesses, service providers join together to provide housing opportunities for homeless
Van Rooy Properties opens existing units to house homeless; KB Home donates furniture aid families in need
INDIANAPOLIS – For more than two years, Aishia Jackson and her three children struggled with homelessness, bouncing back and forth between emergency shelters and staying with family and friends. But in recent months, things have started looking up thanks to Aishia's hard work – she recently found a full-time job at a local restaurant – and the assistance of community partners dedicated to ending homelessness in Indianapolis.
Joined by Van Rooy Properties Community Program Director Lora Henderson and KB Home President Dave Berman, Mayor Bart Peterson today delivered furniture donated by KB Home to Aishia to furnish her new apartment at Van Rooy properties' Mapleton Park.
Aishia's new apartment and furniture is the result of the city, homelessness service providers, and private businesses joining together to help those challenged by homelessness.
"Homelessness is a community-wide problem, and it will take the long-term dedication of public and private partners across the city to successfully implement the Blueprint to End Homelessness," Peterson said, referring to the city's aggressive 10-year plan to end homelessness in Indianapolis. "I am proud of the many great corporate citizens, like KB Home and Van Rooy, who have stepped up to the plate, and I encourage others to join us in our fight to stamp out homelessness in Indianapolis."
The Mayor called on other for-profit property owners and management companies to follow the lead of Van Rooy and make available vacant rental units for targeted programs that provide housing and support services for the homeless. He said existing rental units must play a vital role in the city's efforts to address homelessness.
As part of their community effort, Van Rooy has set aside up to forty rental units for once-homeless families and individuals. The units are being offered at a reduced rent and utilized by the Homeless Initiative Program (HIP), which administers an initiative that provides supportive services and rent assistance to the homeless. Supported by $300,000 in grant funding from the City of Indianapolis and additional resources by the Marion County Health Department, the HIP program is designed to assist individuals, like Aishia Jackson, maintain housing while finding employment and working towards self sufficiency.
"Van Rooy recognizes that it can operate successfully as a for-profit business while doing its part to contribute to the community's efforts to end homelessness," Henderson said.
KB Home also is committed for the long-term to helping those in need, according to Berman. KB Home recently began donating furniture from its model homes to new homeowners participating in Habitat for Humanity's housing program, as well as homeless families like the Jacksons.
"As a corporate citizen, we believe we have a responsibility to play a larger role in the community," Berman said. "We will remain committed to helping families in need and supporting the city's Blueprint to End Homelessness."
The furniture donated by KB Home, including a kitchen table and living room set, will furnish Aishia's once-empty apartment. A case manager had helped her locate a couch and beds for her children, including her new-born daughter, but she had no other furniture before today's delivery.
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