Money will aid county’s homeless population
Indiana Health has received a $2.5 million housing assistance grant for Central Indiana homeless suffering from mental illness and similar challenges.
The grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is for a period of five years and covers Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks and Madison counties.
The focus will be on obtaining secure housing for homeless individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), serious emotional disturbance or co-occurring disorders who are frequent users of public support systems such as hospital emergency rooms, the correctional system and various forms of government assistance.
Funds will go toward rental assistance as well as the creation of five new positions for implementation.
“The new workers will focus on improving the overall healthcare of the grant participants by connecting them to primary care, behavioral, employment and housing services,” said Mike Keevin, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Aspire. “The incidence of mental health challenges among the homeless population is high, and we’re taking a comprehensive approach to their well-being that starts with a safe, secure place to live. Our thanks to SAMHSA for entrusting us with a substantial grant to address a critical need.”
Aspire Indiana Housing Department, which is a subsidiary of Aspire Indiana Health, provides property management services and various housing assistance programs to the many counties Aspire serves including Madison, Hamilton, Boone, Hendricks, Hancock and Marion.