History of the Marion Housing Authority
1968
The Marion Housing Authority was incorporated by City Council Action in 1968 and completed
its first development of 56 units of family housing from 1973 to 1976. A second development
of 44 units of family housing began in 1974 and was also completed in 1976.
1977
Norman Manor a 69 unit elderly, disabled and handicapped building was completed in 1977 followed
by Hilltop Towers in 1979, 98 units of elderly, Riverside Apartments 51 units of elderly in 1985
along with Martin Boots 50 units of elderly also completed in 1985.
1979
The Authority began its Section VIII Rent Assistance
Program in 1979 after received a contract allowing the Authority to assist 40 families. The
Authority has applied for and received Rent Assistance Vouchers 6 times and currently has
the capacity to assist 421 families.
1992
In 1992 the Marion Housing Authority defeased a
bond indenture on our Hilltop Towers apartments, a Section VIII New Construction Project,
to enable the Authority to access reserves for the creation of new affordable housing in the
City of Marion.
1993
During 1993 in cooperation with the city administration
the Authority accessed an Indiana Housing Finance Authority Grant for capacity building.
($50,000) With the grant the Authority hired a planner and over the next two years prepared
a Housing Needs Assessment for the City of Marion.
1995
During 1995 the Housing Authority incorporated a not for profit, (The Affordable Housing
Corporation of Marion) and organized its first Board of Directors and began the process
of completing a strategic plan.
1997
During 1997 the Authority applied in behalf of the AHC to become a Community Housing
Development Organization (CHDO) which is a special designation given by the Indiana
Housing Finance Authority. This designation allowed the Affordable Housing Corporation to
apply for a CHDO Operating Grant in the amount of $30,000 to build our capacity. With that
grant we hired a full time Director for the AHC and began accessing funds for our first
development Thomas Jefferson Homes. Also in 1997, the Authority developed 24 affordable
rental units and 10 homeownership units at Thomas Jefferson.
1998
In 1998 applied to the Indiana Housing Finance
Authority for a $249,000 grant for homeownership counseling down payment assistance which we
were awarded. With this grant we assisted 31 families to purchase homes in Grant County
1999
Affordable Housing Corporation applied for and
received 27 Individual Development Accounts for low income families. State matches savings
of low income families for three year period up to a maximum amount. First award in 1998 and a
second award for 20 accounts in 2000.
Savings can be used for down payment assistance in purchasing a home, educational expenses
for themselves or children or starting a business.
2000
Applied for and received a second grant for $249,000
for homeownership counseling down payment assistance which we were awarded in 2000. Increased
the number of families we are serving on the Section VIII Housing Voucher Program by 175
in 2000 by agreeing to participate in an opt out with Bradford Apartments. Currently in the
process of filling these vouchers.
2002
Completed construction and lease-up of Emerson Homes in spring of 2002, eight units
(four duplexes) of affordable rental housing.
2003
In the spring of 2003 completed the development of a 36 single family unit, tax credit,
lease-purchase development.
All units were leased in the summer of 2003.