Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Housing Agency no longer in control, HUD and city take over operations

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2024

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.

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Indianapolis, IN

New stores in Indianapolis include indoor kid’s playground, cafe

Published

5 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

New stores in Indianapolis include indoor kid’s playground, cafe

May came and went, and with it, we saw the closest Indianapolis 500 finish in history, the 150th anniversary of Eli Lilly and a contested primary election day.

There’s also been some movement in retail news ahead of the summer shopping season. On the north side, a new women’s clothing store opened while a piercing studio set up shop in Speedway. Meanwhile, an indoor children’s play place opened on the near north side.

Read on for four spots that recently opened and one in Broad Ripple that said farewell.

Openings

Monkee’s

8659 River Crossing Blvd., monkeesofindianapolis.com, opened in March

Monkee’s of Indianapolis, a high-end women’s clothing store, opened recently on the north side in the Shops at River Crossing near the Fashion Mall. The brand Monkee’s started in the South three decades ago and has since grown to nearly 70 locations. In Indianapolis, Missy Llewellyn and Whitney Schmitt started the franchise to bring the clothing brand to the Circle City.

The Nest Play Cafe

515 E 22nd St Suite 101, indynestplaycafe.com, opened early May

The Nest Play Cafe opened at the corner of Central Avenue and 22nd Street, offering an indoor space for parents and caregivers to bring their children to play. Caregivers can book 90-minute play sessions for $15 per child over the age of one. Tickets for additional siblings run $10. The cafe sells coffee and snacks, too.

Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon. Closed Tuesdays.

Forget Me Not Piercing Studio

5324 W. 16th St., jessflowerspiercings.square.site, opened May 27

A new piercing studio opened in Speedway at the end of May just days after the Indianapolis 500. Forget Me Not Piercing offers traditional lobe, helix and conch piercings along with nostril and septum piercings. Artist Jess Flowers opened the one-woman shop on 16th Street.

Open Sunday and Thursday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Black Orchid Barbers Fountain Square

1201 Prospect St. Suite 100, blackorchidbarbers.com, opened in May

Black Orchid, a local barbershop known for its sharp haircuts with a side of humor, opened its Fountain Square spot, marking the company’s seventh brick-and-mortar location. Walk-ins are welcome but Black Orchid recommends grabbing a time slot online for your preferred service.

Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closures

Vitality IV Bar

6302 Guilford Ave., vitalityivbar.com

An IV-wellness spot in Broad Ripple shut its doors last month. Vitality IV Bar was located next to the Thieves cocktail lounge, formerly the Broad Ripple Starbucks location, before it went out of business.

Vitality IV still operates an Indianapolis-area location on Mass Ave downtown at 749 Massachusetts Ave where customers can book a variety of infusions with vitamins.

See a store opening or closing near you? Contact IndyStar reporter Alysa Guffey at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis artist merges forgiveness, healing and protecting water

Published

15 hours ago

June 2, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis artist merges forgiveness, healing and protecting water

Carolyn Springer added streaks of light blue with her brush to the canvas. The streaks, representing light reflected through water, crossed over names written in chalk.

Forty-one names comprised the 11th layer of Springer’s “The Forgiving Sea VI,” an interactive painting that invites people to wr

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Indianapolis, IN

Garfield Park Conservatory will combine nature and crafts in June

Published

1 day ago

June 2, 2026

Press Room

Garfield Park Conservatory will combine nature and crafts in June

Elizabeth Gabriel, Mirror Indy

(MIRROR INDY) — The Garfield Park Conservatory will host multiple family-friendly events throughout June. The events include plant shows, kid’s story time and Dollar Menu Night, which allows residents to harvest and eat veggies from a community garden.

Events at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, range in price and some require advance registration.

The Indianapolis Bonsai Club will have displays and answer questions about a variety of bonsai. Vendors will have items for purchase.

🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6, 1-5 p.m. June 7
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)

Preschoolers ages 2-5 can participate in nature-themed storytime and crafts.

🗓️ 10-11 a.m. June 9
🎟️ $6 per child

Residents of all ages can harvest and eat veggies from Blakes’ Garden. Advance registration is preferred.

🗓️ 6-7 p.m. June 10
🎟️ $1 per person

Focused on ages 2-8, participants will listen to a nature-themed story and explore Blakes’ Garden. Attendees will relocate to a classroom if there’s inclement weather.

🗓️ 10 a.m. June 12
🎟️ Free

Up to 15 neighbors ages 10 and up will learn to ferment kimchi. Registration is required.

🗓️ 1-2 p.m. June 13
🎟️ $15 per person

Kids ages 2-5 can plant and harvest crops in the Children’s Garden. Registration is required.

🗓️ 11 a.m. to noon June 24
🎟️ $6 per child

The Indiana Insectivores will display tropical and native Indiana predator plants. Plants will also be available for purchase. Those who attend the plant show will also have free entry to the Predatory Plants Presentation 1-2 p.m. June 27.

🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27, 1-5 p.m. June 28
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.

Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.

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