IHA unveils 12-month action plan to reshape agency

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Housing Agency is under renovation as new leadership hopes to address some ongoing problems at many of its properties.

Yvonda Bean took over as CEO of the struggling agency in February of this year. State auditors found the agency had poorly managed their finances and suffered two cyber security breaches under previous leaders.

Within Bean’s first three months, she said she’s taken it upon herself to begin transitioning to a newer, better IHA.

“People can see the changes, people can feel the changes,” said Bean.

Her 12-month action plan, “A new day and better IHA,” identifies five critical areas of focus: operations, finances, people, properties and safety.

Bean is in quarter 2 of the plan, already resolving issues with phone systems, cutting unnecessary spending and beginning site-based tenant meetings.

However, residents at properties owned by the agency said there’s still a lot of work needed.

“There was a point where bed bugs were going all over the building,” said one tenant, Rochelle Fox. “There was a point where roaches were bad too.”

Fox has lived at Barton Tower for nearly 13 years and said that over that time, it’s gone downhill.

The agency’s police force was disbanded in December 2024 and replaced with security guards. Bean said she plans to expand IMPD’s Crime Watch for their communities.

“I don’t think it’s very safe for all of us,” said Fox. “I don’t feel safe like I used to.”

With proposed budget cuts, the finances are going to be a continued struggle for the agency.

“That, of course, is going to impact our ability to be able to serve families, or serve the number of families that we serve currently,” said Bean. “We’re talking through and trying to ensure that we don’t have families that are left behind.”

IHA said they assist more than 20,000 families.

Seven of their current properties are for sale, such as Hawthorne Place, Blackburn Terrace, Twin Hills, Laurel Wood, Rowney Terrace, 16 Park and Beechwood Gardens.

The agency said that current Section 8 residents will not be impacted by the sale. Remaining properties like Barton Tower will develop a 10-year capital improvement plan to address all of the maintenance needs.

“I wish that some people would just come in, especially those that help subsidize them to come in and visit us, see what’s actually going on,” said Fox.

Bean said that with the rebrand, a new website will be up in a few months. By January 2026, she said tenants will notice a shift in how the agency is run.

“We are committed to being the best IHA,” said Bean. “They deserve the best IHA, and we are doing the necessary work to get us to where we need to be.”