STATEHOUSE (Jan. 18, 2024) – Local communities looking to increase housing stock can now apply for state funding, according to State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart).
Miller, co-chair of the Indiana Housing Task Force, authored the law in 2023 creating the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program. The fund helps local governments cover the costs of housing infrastructure like water distribution systems, electric or gas distribution lines, and new streets, roads and bridges. Miller said by investing in critical infrastructure, local communities can attract housing developments.
"Local communities, especially in rural areas, often struggle to attract new housing developments as the cost to establish critical infrastructure are too great," Miller said. "With this new revolving loan fund, local governments can partner with the state to pay for this infrastructure and attract housing opportunities."
The application submission deadline is April 1, 2024. Local communities can apply online by visiting in.gov/ifa/residential-housing-infrastructure-assistance-program/.
According to Miller, the Indiana Finance Authority will oversee the revolving fund. He said 70% of the funding is to be dedicated to communities with populations under 50,000 people, where the lack of housing is more prevalent. The remaining 30% of funding will be available for communities with populations greater than 50,000 people.
The IFA will establish a prioritization system to award funding. According to the IFA, the system may grant prioritization to projects that are ready to move forward with construction within the fiscal year following the application submission, or when political subdivisions invested in a housing study within the last five years, had a housing study performed by a region's local economic development organization or demonstrated the need for housing inventory as indicated by the Indiana State Housing Dashboard.
Prioritization also includes subdivisions that have secured private, local, state or federal dollars to contribute to projects.
To view a presentation about the recently launched program, visit in.gov/ifa.
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State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) represents House District 48,
which includes a portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
