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New Housing Developments Seek To Combat Local Homelessness

Zach Bernard/WBOI News

New housing projects and living spaces downtown are in the works as the City of Fort Wayne develops. Many of these housing developments are geared specifically towards helping people get back on their feet.

In part four of a five-part series on homelessness in Northeast Indiana, WBOI’s Zach Bernard looks into these facilities that are aiming to fight homelessness.

It’s the public comment portion in a meeting of the Fort Wayne Housing Authority on Wednesday, December 7.

The FWHA is proposing 56-unit, apartment-style supportive housing complex on Spy Run Avenue near the St. Joseph River called River’s Edge. It’s specifically dedicated to combating chronic homelessness in the city.

“It’s a housing-first model, and that model is designed to say those who may have situations that may impede them from assimilating in society, if they’re housed first and given services, they have a better opportunity to assimilate.”

That’s FWHA executive director George Guy. He says River’s Edge isn’t meant to serve as a transitional home, rather a “transition from the transition.” He says because of this designation, it’s a unique project to Fort Wayne.

Guy says this kind of housing can be a huge step for combatting homelessness in Northeast Indiana, and give people a fresh start.

“It really becomes a socio-economic issue because, if these individuals can receive the proper training and be able to assimilate by gaining employment, going to school… then they become tax-paying citizens purchasing a home and it’s an overall win-win for the community,” said Guy.

FWHA is being assisted by UP Development, who also built a supportive housing complex in Muncie. According to them, 44 of the complex’s 50 residents were employed within one year.

River’s Edge isn’t the only low-income housing project currently in discussion for development in Northeast Indiana. The Prosperity Heights project was first revealed in June, a “scholar house” that offers child care to single, displaced parents looking to resume their education.

Prosperity Heights is proposed for the southeastern part of Fort Wayne. Project proponent Cedric Walker says it could expand the city’s vision of the future well beyond downtown.

“We just want to become a part of that picture of Fort Wayne,” said Walker. “We’ve been known to have a wonderful city to do business and grow families in, and southeast Fort Wayne would like to be a contributor to that, and I believe we can.”

And the city itself has participated in low-income housing projects, too.

Randall Lofts is a residential complex in downtown Fort Wayne at the location of the historic Randall Hotel. The space was redeveloped by RealAmerica, and rents to both residents who just want to live there or find themselves under the area median income.

In February, the city used state tax credits to green light development of Fort Wayne’s Coca-Cola building on Pontiac Street as public housing, and would accept an area median income as low as 30% for rent. The project also proposes supportive services in a partnership with Vincent Village.

This focus on supportive housing has been a focal point for some service agencies who place an emphasis on homelessness in Fort Wayne.

Terry Anderson is the executive director of Just Neighbors, a faith-based organization servicing situationally homeless families. He says that while Fort Wayne should pride itself on affordable costs of living, it doesn’t always apply to the city’s homeless.

“For the poorest of the poor, who can’t afford rent or mortgage at an even affordable range, it can still be a very difficult place,” said Anderson. “So I think the important issue is, how do we help them find a way into the middle class and into the affordable homeownership or rental.”

A goal the housing authority hopes to achieve with River’s Edge.

Residents near such supportive housing proposals express concerns over the safety of their kids and neighbors in homes and complexes around them. Guy says that’s exactly why they open up the talk on developments like River’s Edge.

“We’ll continue to have these ongoing meetings with that community, because they’re going to be impacted to some degree,” said Guy. “And we want to work with them, and first of all gain their support. That’s the only way things like this really work.”

While movement on the Prosperity Heights complex has slowed since its announcement in June, River’s Edge is running full-speed ahead. With one more public comment scheduled Wednesday, the housing authority hopes to have a full proposal ready for the city in February.

Guy projects River’s Edge will be completed and at 100% capacity by March 2019.

Zach joined 89.1 WBOI as a reporter and local host for All Things Considered, and hosted Morning Edition for the past few years. In 2022, he was promoted to Content Director.
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