Hamilton County Reporter

HAND Inc. has been awarded a $7,500 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to update the Hamilton County Housing Needs Assessment, a data-driven analysis of the state of housing in the county.

Last completed in 2013, the report is required of communities that receive federal Community Development Block Grant funding in order to determine local needs. The Legacy Fund and Noblesville Housing Authority also are financially supporting the twice-a-decade update.

This spring, HAND will solicit proposals from consultants interested in completing the comprehensive report, which will evaluate broad indicators of community well-being in addition to quantifying housing demand, supply and affordability.

“Adequate and affordable housing is so important to maintaining and improving the quality of life for any community,” said Mark LaBarr, Duke Energy community relations manager for Hamilton County. “We’re pleased to support this updated housing assessment that will help make Hamilton County an even more welcoming community for current and new residents.”

Results of the 2018 assessment are expected to be released at HAND’s annual housing conference, scheduled for Sept. 21. The findings will inform HAND’s community-development activities, and other local not-for-profits also use the data to ensure they are addressing community needs.