Blight Elimination Program (BEP)

Funder: Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) via Hardest Hit Funds from U.S. Department of Treasury

Geographic Scope: State of Indiana, divided into 6 funding divisions; Rush County (Division Six)

Overview:
The Blight Elimination Program provides funding to help prevent avoidable foreclosures by eliminating blighted and abandoned homes in communities. The program is part of Indiana's Hardest Hit Fund initiative.

Award to Rush County:

• City of Rushville: $230,000

Program Goals:

• Eliminate blighted, vacant, and abandoned homes
• Prevent avoidable foreclosures
• Stabilize property values
• Revitalize neighborhoods
• Support property demolition and site clearing
• Offer diverse end uses for newly cleared parcels (green space, redevelopment)

Program Scope:

• Indiana estimates approximately 4,000 blighted and/or abandoned homes will be eliminated statewide through BEP
• Over 550 blighted properties targeted for demolition in Divisions Five and Six alone

Total Program Funding:

• $75 million total available statewide for Blight Elimination Program
• Drawn from $221.7 million in Hardest Hit Funds allocated to Indiana
• Approved by U.S. Department of Treasury in February 2014

Eligibility:

• Local units of government in Indiana counties
• Non-profit partners working with local governments
• All 92 Indiana counties eligible to compete

Contact Information:

• Visit: www.877GetHope.org/blight
• IHCDA manages Indiana's Hardest Hit Fund Program