Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Housing Agency reveals 12-month action plan
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) released its new 12-month action plan to revitalize its properties on Monday.
The agency is currently under the watch of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Yvonda Bean, the new CEO, was brought in three months ago to help get the agency running in good standing. After 12 weeks, she’s releasing a new plan.
IHA is calling the 12-month action plan “A New Day & Better IHA.”
The plan focuses on 5 areas that desperately need improvement:
- Operations
- Finances
- People
- Priorities
- Safety and security
Bean wants to restore IHA’s reputation, mend broken relationships and hold itself accountable.
“We don’t want to lose sight of why we’re here, and why we are here is to serve the families,” Bean said.
The plan also includes operations upgrades for IHA, highlighting recently purchased computers and software.
After two years, the IHA phone lines are working again. The agency received 10,000 calls in the first week.
“Operable phone systems that allow people access to us outside of having to physically come to the office was extremely important, and it has been a tremendous relief to our residents,” Bean said.
Other changes include saying open past 5 p.m., developing evacuation plans, a new website, better spending management, a study into compensation, a fee account and more.
Bean wants to train employees, rebrand IHA with new logos and better utilize the housing choice voucher program.
“At least we have a plan, because without a plan, you’re planning to fail,” said Paula Lasley.
Paula Lasley spoke on behalf of several Lugar Tower residents.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re young or you’re old. If you’re in any of these properties, don’t expect us to live in any conditions that you wouldn’t want to live in,” said Lasley.
Maintenance requests have been a concern for years.
“The elevators have been a serious problem because we have people that are on the 15th floor that are in wheelchairs. The firefighters have had to carry people down the stairs, and that is absolutely unreasonable and that’s not fair to them. But we need to get that handled immediately,” said Lasley.
“Truly taking a look at our inventory to determine exactly what the needs are and then devising a strategy to address many of those needs. The elevators have been an issue again when you’re talking about old or aged inventory, aged buildings, you’re going to have those kinds of things happen,” said Bean.
“But, we have been extremely responsive as a matter of fact, we have new elevators being installed at a couple of our properties and so that will occur over the next several months, and we’re really excited about being able to do that through our capital fund program which is specific to public housing,” she added.
The CEO said seven multi-family properties are also for sale. Investors have until June 30 to express interest.
IHA said current residents will not be impacted, but it will allow for better management.
“We’re going to get where we need to be, it’s just going to take a little bit of time to do it,” she said.
The timeline of the 12-month plan is broken up into quarters.
Bean told WRTV how budget cuts could affect funding and future projects.
“One of the challenges we anticipate will certainly have to do with funding. We are definitely in uncertain times and in recent stories you’ve seen where the proposed budget is likely going to cut many of the programs that we administer so 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 and so we’re we’re talking through and trying to ensure that we don’t have families that are left behind through some of the some of these cuts that we’re anticipating,” said Bean.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Eagle Food & Beer Hall, a Southern-inspired restaurant at 310 Massachusetts Ave. in Indianapolis, is preparing for a Kentucky Derby party on May 2 and promoting a catering deal alongside its signature menu items.
The restaurant is known for its all-natural, brined and hand-dredged fried chicken, comfort-food sides, craft beer selection, scratch-made cocktails, and a blues-inspired atmosphere. It is part of Cincinnati-based Thunderdome Restaurant Group, which operates nine concepts across more than 50 locations nationwide.
Ricky Tindell, regional managing partner for Thunderdome Restaurant Group, highlighted the restaurant’s catering services and upcoming events. He said catering orders range from small gatherings to large events.
“We do a lot of catering. We do it anywhere from six people all the way up to 400,” Tindell said. He added that customers can take advantage of a promotion offering a $25 rebate on orders of $250 or more through July 4, 2026.
Tindell also described the preparation of The Eagle’s fried chicken, which is brined in-house for 24 to 36 hours, double-dredged, and pressure-fried. He said the restaurant uses a proprietary seasoning blend.
He also discussed the Mac and Cheese Burnt Ends Bowl, a popular menu item made with a five-cheese sauce, cavatappi pasta, pork burnt ends, lemon thyme ranch, crispy onions, and chives. Tindell said the dish developed from customer preferences and repeated add-ons to the restaurant’s mac and cheese.
He said the burnt ends are slow-roasted for two hours, deep-fried, and tossed in a Texas-style barbecue sauce. Portions are designed to be shareable for two to three people.
Tindell said the restaurant’s appeal in Indianapolis comes from its Southern comfort food offerings.
“It’s Southern comfort food. So people get that feeling,” Tindell said. “That’s why The Eagle is one of the top four or five reasons people recommend when asked where to eat in Indianapolis.”
He added that he personally craves the chicken if he goes a week without it.
The Kentucky Derby party is scheduled for May 2 from 11 a.m. to midnight and will feature contests, prizes, and giveaways, including a “Win the Eagle for a Year” promotion offering a $50 monthly gift card for 12 months.
The catering promotion, offering a $25 rebate on orders of $250 or more, is available through July 4, 2026.. For more information, visit eaglerestaurant.com/locations.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — State Sen. Andrea Hunley, a Democrat representing Indianapolis, has announced her candidacy for a bid to run for mayor of Indianapolis in 2027.
Hunley, who had previously teased a mayoral run, has scheduled a launch event for May 8 as her official kickoff her campaign to lead the city, said her campaign website. The Assistant Minority Leader in the Senate announced in January that she would not seek another term in the Indiana Senate, to which she was elected in 2022.
Hunley’s website says, “Indianapolis is my city. Our city. As someone who knows this city, someone who has served this community as a public school teacher leading our children and supporting families, I am committed to the future of the people of Indianapolis.
“Indianapolis is the economic driver and a key cultural hub for our state. Our city boasts creative entrepreneurs and long-standing local businesses, vibrant neighborhoods and corporate headquarters, community-centered nonprofits and public schools. I aim to champion a better quality of life by listening to and working alongside the people, businesses and neighborhoods that make up our great city.”
Mayor Joe Hogsett has not disclosed if he’s seeking a fourth four-year term.
City-County Council Member Vop Osili in January announced his campaign for the Democratic nomination.
In the same month, Pike Township Trustee Annette Johnson announced her intention to seek the Democratic nomination to run for mayor. She’s running this year to continue in the trustee’s job, which she has held since 2019.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, who had been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for mayor, announced in January he would seek another four-year term this year for his current job. However, he did not rule out running for the Democratic bid for mayor in 2027.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – While Louisville is famous for one race in May, a Derby City native is set to make his first appearance in a different iconic May race.
Jacob Abel will be making his first appearance in the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, racing for Abel Motorsports, founded by his father, Bill Abel.
“I am excited and grateful to be able to return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to have a shot at the Indianapolis 500. It’s been a lifelong dream to compete in that race and to have the opportunity to do it with Abel Motorsports and Chevrolet makes it even more special,” Jacob said.
Both Abels, the driver and the team, had breakout years in 2024 with three pole positions and three wins in the INDY NXT drivers’ championship, propelling the 25-year-old driver to the NTT INDYCAR Series the following year.
Practice for the 110th Indianapolis 500 begins on Tuesday, May 12 with qualifying being held on May 16 and May 17. The race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway goes green on May 24, coverage begins at 10 a.m.
Copyright 2026 WAVE. All rights reserved.
-
Science5 minutes agoLyrids Meteor Shower: How to Watch, Peak Time and Weather Forecast
-
Health11 minutes agoGLP-1s Don’t Work for Everyone: What To Know if You’re Not Seeing Results
-
Culture23 minutes agoPoetry Challenge Day 3: W.H. Auden, The Poet and His Technique
-
Lifestyle29 minutes agoArmani Goes Back to the Archive
-
Education35 minutes agoVideo: Which Instant Coffee Is Best?
-
Technology41 minutes agoSpaceX cuts a deal to maybe buy Cursor for $60 billion
-
World47 minutes agoPope Leo urges Africans to stay and ‘serve your country’ instead of migrating as displacement climbs
-
Politics53 minutes agoDemocrats win Virginia redistricting fight, threatening Republican House majority