In 2000, a group of Hamilton County residents concerned about housing needs in the county began a housing task force known as the Hamilton County Healthier Communities Housing Action Committee.
The mission of the task force was to improve the quality of life for residents of Hamilton County by promoting housing preservation and neighborhood revitalization. The task force, working with the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, applied for and received a grant from the Indiana Housing Finance Authority (now the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority) to conduct a study on the housing needs in the County.
The study, known as the Hamilton County Needs Assessment, was published in February 2002 and identified a number of key strategies to promote neighborhood revitalization and housing preservation, particularly for low- and moderate-income residents. The study also identified the need for a local nonprofit housing development corporation to lead the mission. This task force ultimately grew into what is now HAND. HAND formally became a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization in 2003.
In 2003, HAND began to serve the Hamilton County community by providing a home owner occupied rehabilitation program. The success of this program led to the employment of HAND’s first full time staff person in 2007. In 2008, HAND developed three single family homes which were sold to moderate income residents. HAND provided down payment and closing cost assistance to these families. Also in 2008, the Hamilton County Needs Assessment was updated and found that while significant steps were made since 2002 to provide affordable housing for the county, there was still a growing need and challenges in providing this type of housing. During 2009, HAND developed two affordable apartment communities for seniors, Plum Tree Gardens in Noblesville that offers six apartments and Spicewood Garden Apartments in Sheridan that offers twenty five apartments.
During 2010, HAND provided downpayment and closing cost assistance to 15 families purchasing foreclosed homes in Hamilton County. 2011 has been a busy year for HAND, we have moved into our new "home" at 347 S. 8th Street, Suite A, Noblesville, IN 46060 and completed the rehab of two historic buildings to develop The Roper Lofts which offer eight affordable one bedroom apartments.