TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Thrive West Central celebrated the first homes to be built as a part of their Homes for the Future Pilot Program with a ribbon cutting on Thursday. 

In partnership with the Wabash River Regional Development Authority (RDA), Thrive West Central is working towards an initiative for developers and homebuilders to encourage them to build age-friendly, new homes in the area. The homes would be built throughout the Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo county areas.

The Wabash River RDA granted Thrive $1.8 million to invest in sustainable, long-term housing for the region. The program will give homebuilders and developers the opportunity to apply for up to ten percent of the building costs to cover eligible infrastructure expenses as each home is completed. 

The program focuses on the developers and homebuilders to make homes at market rates to meet the needs of the ever-expanding workforce and population of the area.

“The RDA is extremely happy with the results of this program, which has since led to additional funding from both the City of Terre Haute and Vigo County, to continue the overall success of this program at a more local level. When the RDA chose this initiative as part of the $25 million received from READI round one, we knew this could be a catalyst for continued housing development at all levels, which is exactly what this program has done,” states Wabash River RDA Board Chair Jon Ford. “We know from various sources and the most recent housing study conducted for West Central Indiana that every form of housing is needed. Although this is the start of an exciting and important initiative, we have much more to accomplish in housing. The Wabash River RDA remains committed to exploring the expansion of this program or others that may benefit the counties within our designated region.”

The first home celebrated is located at 2137 N. 14th Street in Terre Haute and the celebration included an open house. Members of the community were invited to tour the home and get a look at how the Homes for the Future Program is benefiting the neighborhood and surrounding community.

“I’m extremely grateful to have the support and trust of the Wabash River RDA as our team evaluated the housing study at every level. There was no doubt a housing incentive program could be useful in our overall quality of life efforts regionally. Working collaboratively with each county to move the needle as efficiently as possible with quality of work was the overall goal. We know there are lots of job openings with great promise for additional economic vitality for our region, but these workers need places to live. We are taking one part of the plan at a time and moving the needle along with other partners in the process. This will not be our last ribbon cutting and celebration; we have a long way to go,” Ryan Keller, Thrive West Central Executive Director said. 

Thrive is continuing onto the next phase of the program and also began a similar program with the City of Terre Haute and Vigo County.

To learn more about the Homes for the Future Program, visit the Thrive West Central Community webpage.