INDIANAPOLIS – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) presented the Excellence in Affordable Housing Awards at the annual Indiana Statewide Housing Conference on Sep. 26, 2023. Among those recognized was Emmie June Cove, who won the award in the Rural Category.
“Affordable housing is vital to a community’s vibrancy,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Through the Excellence in Affordable Housing Awards, we recognize those properties that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to quality affordable housing. Projects like Emmie June Cove greatly benefit the Hoosiers who live, work, and play in their community, and we are proud to highlight their efforts.”
The Rural Category recognizes a property located within the corporate limits of a city or town with a population of less than 15,000, or located in an unincorporated area of a county that is located beyond two miles of the municipality’s jurisdiction.
Emmie June Cove, located at two properties in Chandler, was developed by Keller Development to help meet the high demand for affordable housing in southwest Indiana. The project removed an abandoned nursing home that had been vacant for over 10 years, developed the site, and purchased a companion site to create 40 duplex units between the two locations.
Residents benefit from enrollment in utility assistance and housing voucher programs, have access to housing counseling and healthcare navigation, participate in the Head Start program, enroll in financial literacy training, and have point-to-point transportation pick-up and drop-off at either of Emmie June Cove’s two development locations.
A fresh start on the site of a decaying former nursing home had an immediate positive impact on the residents of Chandler, removing a safety hazard, a target for vandals, and a site that negatively impacted surrounding property values. Completed in April 2023, Emmie June Cove’s 40 units leased quickly, with more than 80% of units filled in the first three months.
Lt. Gov. Crouch and IHCDA partner with the Indiana Affordable Housing Council to distribute these awards.
