HAND wins training grant

Noblesville-based HAND Inc. will use a $8,500 grant from the Legacy Fund to pursue professional training that will better equip its staff to make a difference in Hamilton County and beyond.

HAND staff, which has experienced 100 percent turnover since mid-2016, works to address a critical shortage of affordable housing options in the suburbs. The grant will allow staff to begin working toward two important certifications—Housing Development Finance Professional and Certified Aging In Place Specialist—that will strengthen HAND’s competitive funding applications.

The grant also will allow the staff to attend housing and community development conferences and stay current on industry issues and trends.

Together, the training opportunities will help HAND build its capacity to address a critical shortage of affordable housing options in the suburbs.

Founded in 2003, HAND owns seven rental communities in Hamilton and Boone counties—in Cicero, Noblesville, Sheridan and Lebanon—leasing more than 100 affordable apartments to low-income residents. Its first Carmel property, Home Place Gardens, is expected to open this year.