INDIANA – Today, the Region 9 Planning Council (“R9PC”) is releasing the results of a collaborative research and strategic planning process to promote access to safe, stable, and affordable housing and community connections for all Region 9 residents.
The report and strategic plan can be found here.
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority supports the establishment of regional planning councils throughout Indiana to develop and implement strategies for homelessness alleviation. R9PC, representing Wayne, Union, Rush, Franklin, and Fayette counties, partnered with the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute to conduct comprehensive on-the-ground research and craft this strategic plan. This process required engaging with stakeholders from various sectors, including those who experienced housing instability or homelessness.
“This strategic planning process is a collective achievement for those in Wayne, Union, Rush, Franklin, and Fayette counties in our continued efforts to tackle housing instability and homelessness. By bringing stakeholder voices from across communities into this process, we ensured that this strategic plan is a collaborative roadmap to direct our future efforts in Region 9,” said Jessica Burton, Co-Chair of the Region 9 Planning Council Leadership Team.
Stakeholders both within the community and on the R9PC Leadership Team emphasized the importance of housing, particularly as community members grapple with overlapping difficulties related to health, child well-being, public safety, and economic development. The Indiana Department of Health funded the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute to support this effort.
“At the Institute, we believe that everyone deserves a place to call home. This report isn’t just about data; it’s about the stories and voices of our communities. It’s about empowering local leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to make a meaningful difference,” said Lauren Murfree, Policy Analyst at the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute.
As part of this process, the R9PC established a mission to “work collaboratively to build the capacity of partners to improve access to quality housing and provide person-centered, need-based interventions to households that are currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness.” The report and strategic plan will be a valuable resource for Region 9 and beyond to ensure safe and stable housing in all communities.
To learn more about Region 9 or sign up to attend the monthly R9PC meetings, please contact Elisa Worland at eworland@purdue.edu. To stay informed about future projects and publications conducted by the Institute, please visit institute.incap.org to sign up for our email list.
