Sheltering Wings Receives Permission to Proceed with Plans for Supportive Housing Community in Plainfield

DANVILLE, Oct. 16 –  The Plainfield Town Council voted to approve Sheltering Wings’ plans to partner with Cummins Behavioral Health Systems, Inc. and RealAmerica to construct and manage an apartment development and community resource center in Plainfield. This community of 52 apartments will address the Town’s need for affordable-housing units and increase Sheltering Wings’ capacity to help survivors of domestic violence achieve stable and independent lives. The community center will serve as a hub for Sheltering Wings’ prevention, education and advocacy programs for people escaping domestic violence.

Sheltering Wings has provided emergency housing and life-skills programming for survivors of domestic violence since 2002. This expansion of services is the result of a strategic initiative aimed at making it easier for survivors to seek support and for shelter residents to exit to safe, affordable and independent lives.

Sheltering Wing Executive Director Cassie Mecklenburg said Sheltering Wings hopes to break ground in the Spring of 2020 contingent upon an allocation of tax credits from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

BACKGROUND

“Access to affordable housing is one of the top four needs for our families, potentially the top need,” said Mecklenburg. “Hendricks County does not have great affordable housing options. Because of this gap, our families are often staying with us longer than they would like simply because they are unable to locate affordable housing.” Of the 52 apartments in the development, Sheltering Wings residents will have first-right to 13 of the units.

RealAmerica, headquartered in Fishers, Ind., has land under contract for the development South and East of the intersection of Stout Heritage Road and Perry Road. This ideal location provides immediate access to hospitality, retail and industrial jobs as well as the Blue Line and Route 8. Residents will also have access to Plainfield’s four-star school system.

“We are thrilled to see our mission expanding to impact more people on Indy’s West side and across the state. This development will provide an important next step for survivors as they exit emergency housing at Sheltering Wings,” said Mecklenburg. “All community residents, whether they are referred from the shelter or not, will have access to services housed at the community center: case management, domestic violence support groups and access to Sheltering Wings staff as well as services provided by partner organizations. The integration of the community is so important to us and our families because it will allow families to move beyond the label of ‘victim’ or ‘survivor’ to ‘Quaker’ … just like everyone else in Plainfield.”