Thrive West Central says ARPA-backed housing effort has awarded 285 city units; program launches Club 720 down-payment tool

Ryan Keller, CEO of Thrive West Central, told the Terre Haute City Council on Feb. 6 that the regional housing initiative has awarded up to 285 housing units in Terre Haute through combined grants and ARPA dollars and is preparing several catalyst projects to sustain momentum.

Keller said the program retains roughly $2,000,000 in available funding, including about $1,000,000 earmarked for pre–site-development or “catalyst” projects. “This city is finally shattering records when it comes to housing,” he said.

The presentation outlined two immediate catalyst projects: a scattered-lot single-family build (about 28 homes) intended to raise neighborhood appraisal floors and make subsequent private development economically viable, and infrastructure support for townhome projects already in process. Keller said those interventions target a minimum appraisal floor at roughly 60% of area median income with a targeted new-home value near $165,000.

Keller also updated the council on program tools and partnerships. Thrive launched Club 720, a down-payment assistance platform that works with local lenders, realtors and builders; Keller said Club 720 has drawn “dozens and dozens” of users in its first months and is shaping its product in response to local feedback. Thrive serves as an “optimizer” for the state’s Hoosier Homes program, which Keller said lets the region provide down-payment assistance up to 140% of area median income for participating counties — a larger limit than most Indiana communities can offer.

Keller gave additional figures from Thrive’s data sheets: roughly $2,200,000 in public dollars invested in Terre Haute projects so far, yielding a little over $68,000,000 in private market value; regionwide the program tallies about 379 units and roughly $3,000,000 of public investment producing about $94,000,000 in market value. He said the city’s portion of the regional total is the largest share at 285 units and that the remaining ARPA funds are likely to be fully allocated before July 2025.

Keller described two planning items that have been delayed while staff seek better pricing: a city “pattern book” RFP (previous bids were north of $250,000), and a housing symposium shifted into later in 2025, likely at the Terre Haute Convention Center. He said Thrive plans to reissue the pattern-book RFP in spring with a target budget under $100,000 (ideally $50,000–$60,000).

On grant prospects, Keller said Thrive has applied to the Lilly Endowment for an award just under $13,000,000 but could not predict timing or the amount of any award. He invited council members to track projects on the Thrive West Central website’s interactive map but noted the map is being updated and is not currently current.

Council members asked for regular updates and district-level tracking. Councilperson Nation asked whether projects can be tracked by council district; Keller said an interactive GIS map on thrivewestcentral.com will be updated and he will notify council when it is current. Councilperson Boland asked whether nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity are participating; Keller said Habitat and a veteran-focused village program are the two local nonprofits currently working through Thrive.

The presentation closed with an offer to return next quarter for another update. Keller said Thrive expects to continue allocating ARPA and related funds toward a mix of single-family, townhome and rental developments designed to broaden housing options across price bands.