Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Housing Agency no longer in control, HUD and city take over operations
INDIANAPOLIS — The City of Indianapolis and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will take over the Indianapolis Housing Agency.
This means the City and HUD will jointly work together to improve the agency. Previously, the IHA was responsible for paying its bills, issuing housing vouchers and more.
HUD says due to the agency’s serious failure to manage funds and records, it was time to take over.
HUD cited the following reasons as to why:
- IHA’s failure to maintain proper control over and properly use public housing HCV (housing choice voucher) grant funds.
- IHA’s failure to maintain, complete and accurate records and books of account in such manner to permit a speedy and effective audit.
- IHA’s failure to comply with federal procurement regulations.
HUD found about 1,500 vouchers are currently not being used out of the 9,000 vouchers available. This means families that could be getting federal help, aren’t.
“Nobody wanted to do the hard work it takes to issue a voucher, set the rent, work with the landlords and inspect the units,” Richard J. Monocchio, HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, said.
WRTV’s Rachael Wilkerson asked how bad of shape the Indianapolis Housing Agency was in.
“Bad shape. I’m not going to sugar coat it,” Monocchio said. “This is the responsibility the government has to the people, and the government hasn’t kept that responsibility. I walk these buildings. It’s unacceptable.”
On Wednesday, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Monocchio signed a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) between the city and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to jointly restore public confidence and accountability over the Indianapolis Housing Agency.
The agency will work together but the city, HUD says, will play a major role in supervising IHA.
HUD says there are three other incidents (New Orleans, Detroit and Gary, IN) where housing authorities reached a CEA, but described Indianapolis as the most unique situation.
“I don’t think the level of cooperation between federal government and chief executive of a city like this has happened before,” Monocchio said.
“What does this mean for residents?” WRTV’s Rachael Wilkerson asked.
“Nothing changes in terms of their lease or their contract with the landlord. Residents are going to be protected and the residents are going to see a better quality of life without question,” Monocchio said.
TIMELINE:
- In December 2022, the city requested assistance from HUD for IHA.
- In September 2023, the city and HUD signed a letter for intent for the CEA (agreement announced).
- On March 29, 2024, HUD made the official determination that IHA is in substantial default pursuant to the U.S. Housing At of 1937 because it violated fundamental obligations of its federal public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs.
- On April 10, 2024, HUD takes full possession of IHA in cooperation with the city.
IHA’s board is also dissolved.
Kimberly Size, HUD Indiana Field Office Director, will serve as the only member of the IHA board. There will still be public meetings for residents, but Kim is the only member.
“How has your experience living here been?” WRTV’s Rachael Wilkerson asked.
“It’s been Hell on Earth. That’s what it’s been,” Barton Tower resident Kathryn Lee said.
“So, now that the City and HUD is taking over, how does that make you feel?” WRTV’s Rachael Wilkerson asked.
“I don’t know yet. I gotta wait and let them take over and see what happens. I don’t know if it’s going to help me,” Lee said.
One of the biggest challenges for residents is restoring trust back into the IHA community.
“Because they don’t have it with me at all,” Lee said.
As for the current cyber attack investigation of IHA’s voucher system that is impacting some residents, the city says there is an ongoing criminal investigation and have no updates regarding the status.
Indianapolis, IN
IPS to host vaccine clinic for students and families
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Students and families in Indianapolis are encouraged to attend an immunization clinic next week.
The Indianapolis Public Schools district is hosting the clinic on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Shepherd Community Center on East Washington Street. It will be held from 4:30- 8 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, however, people are asked to complete the online registration form, use the enrollment code: IN65942, and select Shepherd Community-8/15/24.
People under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian consent. You are also asked to upload or send the immunization records for the person getting vaccinated and bring insurance cards.
Organizers say all insurance types will be accepted and billed (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid). For people without insurance, there is no cost for vaccines – except for the Shingles and adult RSV vaccines, which may require a co-pay.
According to IPS, all CDC-recommended vaccines will be provided. If you wish to refuse a specific vaccine, please contact the Indiana Immunization Coalition at least 48 hours before the event at clinic@vaccinateindiana.org.
Indianapolis, IN
Colts QB Anthony Richardson reacts to being featured on the JW Marriott Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — JW Marriott Indianapolis is known for making sports “larger than life.”
For instance, the hotel has featured a large March Madness bracket on its windows in the past. Most recently, it featured an image of Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark in a Gatorade ad.
This past week, the hotel put a new image on the east windows of its building. The image features three members of the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
News 8 Sports’ Andrew Chernoff asked Richardson about the image on Friday after the team’s training camp practice in Westfield, Ind.
“That’s definitely cool,” Richardson said. “I appreciate the city embracing me. It means a lot to me and lets me know I’m doing something right. I got a lot of support behind me. So, I’m thankful for it.”
The north window features the phrase “For The Shoe,” the official hashtag of the Colts on X, formally known as Twitter.
Richardson is gearing up for his second season as the Colts starting quarterback. Last year, his rookie season was cut short after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in October.
He’s back healthy and ready to play a full 2024 season.
“It’s definitely easier to manage our offense now,” Richardson said. “I’m a lot more comfortable, a lot more comfortable with the calls when Shane (Steichen) is calling them. Then just looking at a defense, I’m able to scan the defense a lot longer and just check out what I’m going to have on a certain play. So I’m definitely a lot more comfortable in the offense, and I want to plan on continuing to get more comfortable in it.”
The Colts continue training camp on Monday when they practice from 2 p.m. EDT to 3:30 p.m. EDT at Grand Park.
The team’s first preseason game is just one week away when it hosts the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. EDT inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indianapolis, IN
Oregon Duck, Indianapolis Colt DT Closing in on Franchise Records
EUGENE – Former Oregon Duck and current defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts, DeForest Buckner, is rising in the record books. The former Duck has established himself as one of the most dominant interior defenders in the NFL, and his impact on the Colts has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Buckner is just one sack away from breaking Ellis Johnson’s franchise record for most sacks in Colt history with 32.5 Sacks. While Johnson’s tenure with the Colts lasted seven seasons, Buckner is on track to beat this record in just his fifth year with the Colts.
His impact extends far beyond sacks. Buckner has already solidified his position as the Colts’ all-time leader in quarterback hits for defensive tackles with 87 total quarterback hits. Buckner is also on the cusp of claiming the crown for passes defended by a defensive lineman with 16 passes defended, third among Colts defensive linemen.
The defensive tackle’s ability to disrupt plays is evident in his tackles for loss. Buckner’s 42 tackles for loss places him fifth on the Colts’ all-time list. This season, Buckner has the chance to move to third in Tackles For Loss for the Colts behind Freeney and Mathis, passing Chad Bratzke and Raheem Brock with 4 more in the 2024 season. Buckner’s 281 total tackles and 166 solo tackles rank him third among Colts defensive tackles.
While Buckner’s achievements are more than impressive, it is important to note that sacks did not officially start being counted until 1982, nearly 30 years after the Colts became a franchise in 1953. Colts legends such as Art Donovan, Gene Lipscomb, and John Dutton played before sacks became an officially recorded statistic. Nonetheless, Buckner’s impact in the modern era is undeniable. His ability to command double teams creates opportunities for teammates to make plays is invaluable.
Buckner’s journey to the NFL began at the University of Oregon, where he played from 2012 to 2015. In 2015, Buckner was recognized as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He finished second on the team in tackles with 83 while also earning recognition as the team’s defensive Most Outstanding Player. Buckner was also awarded the prestigious Morris Trophy, an award voted on by opposing Pac-12 linemen.
As Buckner continues his Colts career, the possibility of breaking more franchise records is large. His combination of talent, work ethic, and leadership makes him a cornerstone of the team’s defense. Buckner is solidifying his status as one of the greatest defensive tackles in franchise history.
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