Moed statement on charges filed against negligent landlord who put Indianapolis renters at risk

State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement on a New Jersey man charged with misuse of funds that resulted in utility shut-offs for those in affordable housing: 

“A critical step in allowing Indianapolis to thrive is holding bad-acting landlords accountable. Two years ago, the JPC Affordable Housing Foundation's misuse of funds resulted in people losing access to necessities such as power and water, with some families even facing eviction.

“Today's criminal charges are a crucial step forward for tenant protections, but the state legislature must do more to prevent similar abuses. JPC properties have shown that there are loopholes in our ability to protect renters. Last year, I helped pass legislation allowing the court to appoint a receiver when a landlord incurs utility bills 60 days past due. That was a crucial victory, but there’s still so much to do. We need to make sure we have the tools to proactively go after bad actors in the future.” 

Moed celebrates $12 million in federal funding for housing

Today, State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) joined Mayor Joe Hogsett, housing partners and service providers at the Damien Center to celebrate an award of $11.9 million. The City of Indianapolis will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual Continuum of Care Program. This funding will be instrumental to the creation of the city’s low-barrier shelter for the unhoused, which culminated from several years of city-state collaboration.  

“I want to extend my congratulations to Indianapolis for receiving this grant, which will serve a critical role in addressing housing in our neighborhoods,” Moed said. “Both city and state officials have been working hard to build out our infrastructure so that no resident goes unhoused. Our new low-barrier shelter for the unhoused started as a task force, state funding for it passed in the 2023 state biennial budget and its construction will hopefully be completed in the next couple of years. This grant gives the city some additional tools to develop the shelter and continue to provide supportive services to those who are unhoused. We’re working to develop affordable housing in a fiscally wise, equitable and locally controlled manner. Indianapolis is a great place to live, and everybody should be able to put down roots in this city.”  

During his time as a state representative, Moed has worked extensively to expand Hoosiers' access to affordable, quality housing. He created the Low-Barrier Shelter Task Force to assess the feasibility of constructing a low-barrier shelter for the unhoused in Indianapolis. The shelter and wraparound services will serve as a support services network for unhoused individuals as they find permanent accommodations. In 2023, he authored House Enrolled Act 1157, which empowered Indianapolis with the same housing development tools as the rest of the state. He also passed House Enrolled Act 1087 requiring the Department of Correction to only transport released offenders to the county they resided in at the time of conviction. If the DOC wishes to transport someone to a different location, they must formulate a reentry plan, including housing. 

Moed opposes passage of bill to repeal economic enhancement district

Today, Jan. 30, the House Chamber passed House Bill 1199. The bill will repeal the Mile Square economic enhancement district law, which was adopted by the Indianapolis City-County Council after a provision to allow it passed in the 2023 state budget. The funding tool would provide the city with an additional $5.5 million a year for public safety enhancements, including a planned low-barrier homeless shelter.

State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement regarding the passage of the bill: 

“Last session, the City and State collaborated to create a way to raise additional funding from downtown property targeted at the efforts to increase safety in downtown Indianapolis and fund resources to reduce homelessness. Unfortunately, HB 1199 upends those efforts and will leave the city without an important tool.”

“This is a step backward in our efforts to improve the quality of life and safety in our downtown neighborhoods. Furthermore, now much-needed resources for other parts of the city will likely be diverted to meet this unfunded need.”