On May 21, nearly 100 people gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Courtyard, a supportive housing development in Fort Wayne, IN that will serve 36 youth aging out of foster care. Speakers included Mayor Tom Henry, representatives from both Senator Coats and Senator Donnelly’s offices, and a plethora of partners including development team members, former foster youth, and leaders from the Fort Wayne Housing Authority, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, Great Lakes Capital Fund, and CSH.
This development began as a vision that Donna Bolinger, Safe Alternatives for Families and Youth (SAFY) Director of Business Development, shared with key partners. Ms. Bolinger successfully led a team of SAFY staff through the Indiana Permanent Supportive Housing Institute in 2010 and added Biggs Development LLC, Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN), Neighborhood Development Associates, LLC, and Ideal Builders to her team. Together, this team secured Low Income Housing Tax Credits, TCAP, and Community Development Block Grant funding from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and project based section 8 rental assistance from the Fort Wayne Housing Authority.
Following the ceremy, the energized crowd witnessed the beginning of the demolition of the Duemling Clinic, a building that has been vacant for 20 years, that will be removed to make room for new construction. This safely orchestrated first few swipes at the building brought great cheers from those in attendance.
Click here to read more about The Courtyard and view additional pictures.
