INDIANAPOLIS – With support from the Indy Health District, Inc. (IHD), IU Health and the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership (INHP), the Near North Development Corporation (NNDC) today broke ground on a new affordable housing development at 22nd & Illinois streets, marking a major step forward in revitalizing the neighborhood with accessible, community-driven housing.

The $8 million project will include approximately 26 homes, a mix of townhomes and duplexes, designed to meet the needs of local families and individuals seeking quality, affordable living options near the heart of the city.

“As we listened to neighbors throughout the District, one message was loud and clear: we need more affordable housing,” said Jamal Smith, Executive Director of the Indy Health District. “This development is a direct result of what neighbors told us they want and need. It’s not just bricks and mortar—it’s a promise to prioritize community voices and reinvest in people.”

This groundbreaking represents the first of several major IHD-backed housing investments in the area. A second project, M22, located nearby at 22nd and Meridian streets, will add 116 affordable and workforce-rate rental units to the District. That $32 million project will begin environmental remediation and demolition later this month.

“The Near North Development Corporation has played a key role getting these impactful projects underway,” said Joe Hanson, Chief Strategy Officer at INHP. “This area developed by NNDC is crucial for providing hard-working residents of the near north side access to jobs and public transit. This will not only create more housing, but stronger, more resilient neighborhoods—something we can all get behind.”

The 22nd & Illinois site was chosen for its central location within the Health District, access to public transit and its potential to spark further redevelopment. In addition to housing, the Indy Health District is rolling out several community amenities that are currently taking place, including:

• The Mosaic Center – a new IU Health-supported career development hub that will offer personalized career coaching, financial guidance, and access to education and training for Marion County residents pursuing healthcare careers.
• A new trail network – construction is already underway on the District’s first trail segment, extending from 16th to 21st Street across Senate Boulevard. The trail will link with the city’s existing system and promote walkability, access to the IU Health campus, and overall wellness for neighborhood residents.
• The Floating Farmers Market – a system of farmers markets that rotate through the five neighborhoods of the Indy Health District.  The markets are designed to support local farmers and vendors while increasing the community’s access to healthy food options.

“These projects are about more than housing—they’re about creating a vibrant, healthy, connected community,” Smith added. “This is just the beginning!”

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About Indy Health District, Inc.

Indy Health District, Inc. is a recently established nonprofit dedicated to reducing health inequity across Indianapolis. The district is designed to improve access to high-quality education, housing needs, technology, mental health resources and healthy foods. It’s also focused on workforce development and increasing the number of trails and green spaces in the area. The Indy Health District is a collaborative effort between several anchor institutions, including IU Health, the IU School of Medicine, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Citizens Energy Group and Ivy Tech Community College, and the neighborhoods located in and around the district, including Crown Hill, Historic Flanner House Homes, Highland Vicinity, Meridian Highland and Ransom Place. For more information, please visit IndyHealthDistrict.org.