New Albany Dedicates $500,000 to Affordable Housing Partnership

New Albany Dedicates $500,000 to Affordable Housing Partnership

Did you know that April is NEW HOMES month in America? Developing affordable and market-rate housing has been a top priority for the City of New Albany. What better way to celebrate New Homes month than by helping support one of New Albany’s longest running housing partners, Habitat for Humanity!

At today’s New Albany Redevelopment Commission meeting, the board moved to support the construction of a new HEADQUARTERS for Habitat for Humanity through a $500,000 American Rescue Plan grant. Habitat for Humanity primarily serves low-income, single-parent families with young children by developing affordable housing, providing a stable and healthy environment for the family.

With their new headquarters, Habitat for Humanity will be able to add additional services for young families in New Albany. The new space will include classrooms for innovative educational opportunities, as well as a warehouse and workshop space in order to store building materials. The new Habitat for Humanity Headquarters will be built along Barack Obama Way in New Albany’s industrial park.

“Recent investments, both public and private, are fueling growth in New Albany,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “Affordable housing options are key to our continued success. This new partnership with Habitat for Humanity will ensure new housing options well into the future.”

New Board of Works President Appointed

New Board of Works President Appointed

Please welcome the new President of the Board of Public Works and Safety, Mr. Mickey Thompson. Mr. Thompson has worked at the City of New Albany for 29 years. Over his long career of service to New Albany, Mr. Thompson has worked in various departments, including the Sewer Department, Sanitation Department, Street Commissioner, and he currently served as Right of Way Coordinator. Mr. Thompson has served on the Board of Works for a decade, and will now take the helm as board president.

Also joining the Board of Public Works and Safety is Mr. David Brewer. Mr. Brewer is a 1991 New Albany High School graduate with many years in public service. He served as the Building Commissioner with the City of New Albany for over 10 years, and was elected to the New Albany Township Trustee in 2018. Mr. Brewer previously served as the Assistant Varsity and Junior Varsity Boys Basketball coach at New Albany High School. Currently, he volunteers coaching in the New Albany Feeder Basketball Program, as well as the 8th grade coach at Scribner Middle School. Mr. Brewer is married to Desiree Brewer, and they share three children, Gracie, Ava, and Braden.

“Mickey Thompson and David Brewer are true public servants, and I want to thank them for continuing to serve the people of New Albany,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.

OPIOID CASE SETTLED – CITY TO RECEIVE SETTLEMENT MONEY

Since 2017, the City of New Albany has been actively engaged in pursuing damages caused by the manufacture, prescription sale, and distribution of opioids through outside counsel in multi-district litigation. The opioid crisis has had a devastating effect on the people of Indiana, and none more-so than those who reside in Floyd County.

In a six-year period, 47,106,936 prescription pain pills entered our community. That equates to 91.6 pills per person per year in Floyd County. In 2016 alone, prescription rates for opioids were at a horrendous 132 prescriptions per 100 residents. Now, years later, recent legislation amending Indiana code and signed into law has determined a weak, but solitary course for all who seek damages associated with the aforementioned parties and crimes.

Today, at the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, the board agreed to opt into the State of Indiana’s settlement that won against key opioid distributors. The City of New Albany is expected to receive about $250,000 from the settlement.

“New Albany and Floyd County families have suffered great losses at the hands of these villains,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “I believe this settlement is better than nothing, but our fight with addictive substances and their producers will continue as we seek new measures to contain the devastation brought by corporate sponsored addiction.”

Over $1 Million Awarded to Help Small Businesses

Over $1 Million Awarded to Help Small Businesses

Over $1 million has been awarded to local, small businesses to help offset negative impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan, the city has awarded over $1 million to 110 local small businesses, affecting 659 local employees.

“This would not have been possible without funds from the American Rescue Plan and bipartisan support from the New Albany City Council,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “Local small businesses are a key part of New Albany’s success, and this action helps over 100 local businesses keep employees on payroll and continue operating in New Albany. We are proud to be able to offer this kind of support to our hardworking local businesses and their employees.”

“We recognize that small businesses were heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and these funds will hopefully offset some of those negative impacts and aid in their economic recovery,” stated Josh Staten, Director of Economic Development and Redevelopment at the City of New Albany.

NEW ALBANY DEDICATES $50,000 TO HELPING AMERICAN VETERANS IN NEED OF HOUSING

NEW ALBANY DEDICATES $50,000 TO HELPING AMERICAN VETERANS IN NEW ALBANY WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A NEED OF HOUSING

Our United States Veterans are volunteers who signed up to potentially give the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and supporting them when they return home is the least we can do.

That’s why the New Albany Redevelopment Commission is allocating $50,000 in American Rescue Plan funding to support Liberty Place, a sober, transitional living environment for veterans. Liberty Place helps veterans return to the community as a positive and productive member of society while maintaining their sobriety.

Liberty Place, operated by Kaiser Home Support Services, receives referrals from Veterans Court, and provides living accommodations for veterans for a period of 12 to 24 months. While staying at Liberty Place, our veterans will receive a private bedroom, meals, transportation to appointments and support groups, and other supportive services. Liberty place has around-the-clock support staff, including a Veteran Program Manager.

“We are so proud of what we have uniquely created in Liberty Place,” stated Kelley Troutman, Executive Director for Kaiser Home Support Services. “You will not find anything else like it in Indiana.  We look forward to growing and providing even more services for our veterans in need, and we appreciate the support from the American Rescue Plan and the City of New Albany.”