INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Indianapolis-area business executives, City leaders and neighborhood associations gathered to announce the launch of Indy Health District, Inc. (IHD), a non-profit with a mission to create healthier communities on the near north side of Indianapolis by addressing key socioeconomic and health disparities. Coinciding with the non-profit’s inception is the establishment of the geographic boundaries of the Indy Health District, a 1,500-acre area that stretches from the north end of downtown Indianapolis to Crown Hill Cemetery.

The IHD was born out of years of collaboration between the community and anchor institutions, including Citizens Energy Group, IU Health, Ivy Tech Community College and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The Crown Hill, Highland Vicinity, Historic Flanner House Homes Meridian Highland and Ransom Place neighborhoods were also integral partners in planning and development efforts.

“Over the last several years, we have listened closely to the voices of community members within the district’s boundaries to guide the development of this organization and will remain committed to listening to their input and feedback,” said Jamal Smith, Executive Director of the IHD. “Our ultimate goal is to create physical and institutional frameworks that elevate the health and well-being of everyone who lives, works and plays in the Indy Health District.”

The IHD was created in response to alarming census data showing that residents within its boundaries have a much lower life expectancy compared to other parts of the Indianapolis metro area. The six guiding principles of the district focus on meaningfully improving the quality of life for the individuals who work and reside within it.

1. Equitable Socioeconomic Impact: Ensuring that development and programs generate long-term, positive impacts for residents, especially in employment and wealth-building opportunities.
2. Smart Land Use and Transportation: Creating a dense, walkable community that connects neighborhoods through diverse housing options, transit and amenities.
3. Health-Promoting Infrastructure: Encouraging a built environment that fosters active and healthy lifestyles.
4. Access to High-Quality Healthcare: Providing residents with convenient, affordable access to the district’s world-class healthcare resources.
5. Community-Centric Education and Research: Leveraging institutional research and education to directly benefit our communities and address health disparities.
6. Establishing Physical and Programmatic connections: Prioritizing collaboration among the community and our surrounding anchors, creating sustainable practices that contribute to a healthier environment.

“As an open-access institution, Ivy Tech serves a student population with a variety of needs and challenges, including socioeconomic and health barriers that can put up roadblocks to completion,” said Dr. Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College. “Ivy Tech is proud to be part of the Indy Health District and looks forward to helping students address barriers to quality childcare, transportation, and technology so they can improve their lives and the lives of their families.”

Community outreach has been and will continue to be a core part of the IHD’s efforts. Input from residents, local organizations and other community stakeholders has shaped the district’s goals and priorities, ensuring that the needs of the community are central to the project’s success.

“The intentional collaboration between the neighborhoods and the leading institutions is incredibly rare,” said Danita Hoskin, president of the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association. “It’s a model that many cities aspire to, but few achieve. On behalf of my neighborhood and the other four neighborhoods within the district, I want to express our excitement and dedication to building healthier, more equitable communities.”

To ensure accountability and transparency, the IHD will maintain a publicly accessible dashboard on the organization’s website. This dashboard will monitor the drivers of health, such as access to care, housing conditions and economic opportunities, with the goal of improving life expectancy and quality of life for district residents.

“The Indy Health District is uniquely positioned to make a lasting impact on the near north side of Indianapolis for generations to come,” said Indianapolis City-County Council President Vop Osili. “This unprecedented organization exists because of the collective voices of the Crown Hill, Flanner House Homes, Meridian Highland, Highland Vicinity, and Ransom Place neighborhoods. These remarkable individuals recognized the unique needs of their communities, came together to elevate those needs, and held us accountable for addressing them.”

The IHD will host its first official community gathering event in November 2024. For more information about this event and the IHD, please visit IndyHealthDistrict.org.

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About Indy Health District, Inc.

Indy Health District, Inc. (IHD) is a recently established nonprofit dedicated to reducing health inequity across Indianapolis. The district is designed to address housing needs and improve access to high-quality education, 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 IHD is a collaborative effort between several anchor institutions, including IU Health, 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, Flanner House Homes, Highland Vicinity, Meridian Highland and Ransom Place. For more information, please visit IndyHealthDistrict.org.

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