Near East Area Renewal

Near East Area Renewal (NEAR) develops community by creating great places with neighbors. We express this mission through equitable housing, neighborhood renewal, creative placemaking, economic development, and environmental justice. We work with neighbors and bring people together to address local quality of life challenges. Through a generous partnership, Merchants Bank will match NEAR's Indianapolis Monthly contributions dollar for dollar up to $2,000.

NEAR works to bring new affordable home ownership opportunities to the Near Eastside neighborhoods that are accessible to individuals at or below 80% of the area median income. By pairing our development expertise with affordable housing subsidies, down-payment assistance through partners and philanthropic resources, we have created more than 120 opportunities for low to moderate income buyers in our community. 

In addition to affordable housing, NEAR works to activate and rehabilitate vacant retail and commercial spaces along East 10th Street, works with the City of Indianapolis on larger infrastructure improvements and brownfield redevelopment projects, and general works to implement priorities of the Near Eastside Quality of Life Plan established by neighbors in 2019.

NEAR also leads an annual fall weatherization event called Caulk of the Town focused on reducing utility bills for neighbors and improving home efficiency. Caulk of the Town has a history dating back to the 1980s. This event mobilizes dozens of volunteers and industry professionals to serve a focused neighborhood within the Near Eastside. Residents benefit from door and window caulking and weatherstripping, HVAC tune ups, and light yard clean up.