Join us for an informative free event at the Indianapolis Public Library – Central Library to learn about evictions and foreclosures in Indiana. Interactive online dashboards have been expanding across the country for eviction data, but often a disconnect still exists in passing off that important data to community members and organizations to actually instill positive change. Here, we will showcase the early development of an interactive online dashboard for the entire state of Indiana that contains important and up-to-date information on both eviction and foreclosure data.

Where are children most affected and at risk for lead exposure in the Promise Neighborhood? Read our analysis of the adverse effects of childhood lead exposure, inequities relative to the rest of Marion County, and action steps regarding what can be done about it.

This initiative features bimonthly e-newsletter updates on how the Indianapolis metro area is recovering and emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic on some of the most pressing and challenging issues in our community. August 2023 research  shows Indianapolis unemployment rate increasing from 2.6% in April to 3.6% in June (nationwide increase from 3.4% to 3.7%); housing prices in the Indianapolis metro area declined in July 2022 for the first time in nearly a year, although since April 2023, it has been steadily increasing again with July’s median home prices being close to $300K; Central Indiana monthly average monthly rent hovers around $1200/month; and there is a decline in homicides, although the rate is still higher than both 2017 and 2018.

The Polis Center’s expertise in neighborhood level community information differentiates it, bringing a holistic perspective to best identify improvements. It looks beyond the physical infrastructure elements of mitigation by bearing in mind a region’s vulnerable populations, social weaknesses and services, social determinants of health, and more when preparing a community’s MHMP.

Will there be adequate services and care to meet the needs of Central Indiana’s older adult population so they can thrive as they age in their homes? Part 1 was held May 11 during which we closely examined this important topic of aging in place for older adults within Central Indiana, with an initial focus on what are some characteristics and potential needs of older adults who want to age in place. The second part in our series will go over the availability of specific services, potential service gaps for the older adult population, possible social disparities in access to these services, and what can be done moving forward to address these needs. Details to come! This event is a partnership between The Polis Center, WFYI Public Media, and the Central Indiana Senior Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation.

Polis partnered with Welborn Baptist Foundation to customize the SAVI community information system to support the region’s Grow Capacity Building platform. The Grow data system aims to help local stakeholders better understand the community’s demographics, needs, and assets. The SAVI team also is building capacity of Grow leaders to support local organizations in their use of data.

The Kheprw Institute and The Polis Center are partnering to better understand the criminal justice system in Marion County and investigate potential disparities. Black defendants are significantly overrepresented in case filings compared to the Black share of the Marion County population. Over half of all cases filed by MCPO are against Black defendants while Black adults make up just 27% of the Marion County population.