INDIANAPOLIS — A new apartment building is set to open next week on the east side of Indianapolis.
Compass on Washington is a new permanent supportive housing community for homeless Hoosiers.
On Wednesday, city leaders, Horizon House officials and others celebrated to officially open the doors to the apartments on East Washington Street.
"I can't wait to see someone's eyes when they walk into these apartments to say, 'This is all for me,'" said Teresa Wessel, CEO of Horizon House.
Thirty-six, one-bedroom units filling four floors all come furnished with appliances, cookware, bedding and more.
"We have to make sure people in Indy have a stable, permanent place to live," said Mayor Joe Hogsett.
Hogsett said through contributions of about $4 million, the project came to life also with the help of Gratus Development and Englewood Community Development.
Restee Johnson, 63, has lived in a supportive housing unit for five years now. He shared his story of being homeless and what housing meant to him.
"Permanent supportive housing has provided me with a safe and peaceful environment that allows me to maintain my recovery. My relationship with family and my community are stronger and after 18 years have reconnected with my son and grandkids," said Johnson.
He said homelessness has been a part of his life for 20 years. Now, he's grateful someone gave him a chance to turn his life around.
"My faith in life is driven by a strong sense of purpose," said Johnson.
Wessel said the apartments are just one step in trying to solve the housing crisis in Indianapolis.
"If you think about it, with minimum wage being at $7.25 and a living wage over $18, that gap says there's no place for people to be able to afford to live. Until we can get ample affordable housing units here we're still going to have people experiencing homelessness," he said.
City leaders say there is still lots of work to do to help solve the homeless crisis in Indianapolis.