Life Village Project Unveiled for Homeless Seniors by Universal Church and Developers

A transformative housing initiative aimed at addressing homelessness among seniors took center stage at the recent Metropolitan Development Commission meeting in Indianapolis. The proposed project, known as Life Village, seeks to create a supportive housing community for low-income homeless seniors in the Washington Park neighborhood.

Justin King, a key proponent of the project, outlined plans for 42 residential units, including duplexes and a community service facility. This initiative is a collaboration between the Universal Church of Truth, Radiance CDC, and various housing organizations, reflecting extensive community engagement. King emphasized that Life Village is designed not just as a housing solution but as a comprehensive community resource, offering essential services like job training, health care, and food assistance.

The project requires two petitions: one to rezone three of the four parcels from D5 to D8, allowing for diverse housing types, and another for a variance to accommodate the supportive housing model. King expressed confidence in meeting the city’s requirements and highlighted the importance of this development in restoring dignity and stability to vulnerable seniors.

Bishop Anthony Boyd, Senior Pastor of the Universal Church of Truth, echoed the project's significance, noting the church's long-standing commitment to addressing homelessness. He described Life Village as a culmination of years of outreach efforts, including food pantries and clothing giveaways.

Support for the initiative was further bolstered by Keith Collins, co-founder of Collins Housing Solutions, who highlighted the pressing need for such housing in the city. He pointed out that over 150 seniors are currently homeless, underscoring the urgency of the project.

As the meeting progressed, community members were invited to voice their support or concerns, with a structured format allowing for a thorough discussion. The commission is expected to deliberate on the petitions, with advocates hopeful for a positive outcome that could pave the way for Life Village to become a reality, providing much-needed support for Indianapolis's senior population.