INDIANAPOLIS — The City of Indianapolis and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are partnering to take possession of Indianapolis Housing Authority.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard J. Monocchio signed a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement "to jointly take action to restore public confidence and accountability" over the IHA.
"This bold action will not impact IHA residents' access to their housing or vouchers and is being done with the sole purpose of enhancing their quality of life," HUD said in a statement.
"Today's partnership ensures that IHA – a fundamental resource in providing housing to Indianapolis' most vulnerable neighbors – will be fully functional, transparent and accountable," Hogsett said.
HUD will work with the City of Indianapolis to "develop a detailed strategy to stabilize the housing agency's operations and rectify specific issues identified by HUD," the agency said.
HUD has replaced the IHA board with Kimberly Wize, the agency's Indiana Field Office Director. The city will appoint a local recovery monitor, and HUD will retain "ultimate authority" over IHA's recovery.
"Seeing the conditions and dysfunction that have negatively impacted IHA residents, and numerous operational issues hindering the agency, HUD knew it had to take strong action to correct course as soon as possible," Monocchio said.
The agency said it and the city will be in contact with IHA residents about upcoming changes.
IHA will soon issue a request for proposals for a management assessment and forensic audit of the agency.
The City of Indianapolis first requested assistance from HUD regarding IHA in 2022.