How Blue River Community Foundation is Advancing Affordable Homeownership in Shelbyville

In Shelbyville, Indiana, a new chapter in affordable homeownership is unfolding through a collaborative effort among philanthropy, local government, and community-focused developers. At the center of this initiative is Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF), serving as a key partner in helping families access housing and build long-term financial stability.

Through its partnership with Intend Indiana, a nonprofit organization focused on creating generational wealth through housing, the city is seeing the construction of new, single-family homes for low- and moderate-income buyers. These homes are more than just places to live. They represent a pathway to opportunity for families who may have been locked out of the traditional housing market.

Intend Indiana combines philanthropic support, federal housing funds, and community development financing to reduce construction costs and provide low-interest mortgages. In addition to offering below-market home prices, the program equips buyers with financial education to ensure long-term success as homeowners.

Recognizing the potential of this effort, BRCF provided a low-interest bridge loan to help Intend Indiana acquire buildable lots while awaiting federal reimbursements. This marked BRCF’s first step into impact investing, a strategy that uses the foundation’s investment capital to drive positive change in its own backyard rather than through Wall Street holdings.

"We saw a chance to align our investments with our mission," said a BRCF representative. "By stepping in early, we helped accelerate a project that will directly benefit Shelby County families for generations."

City leaders also contributed by donating vacant properties for new construction. These previously unused lots are now being transformed into attractive, owner-occupied homes, improving neighborhood vitality and expanding the city’s tax base.

To ensure families are prepared for the responsibilities of homeownership, Intend Indiana requires all prospective buyers to complete a homeownership readiness course. The program covers credit, budgeting, and long-term planning. Some participants take the course multiple times, steadily building their financial capacity until they are mortgage-ready.

Local builders and suppliers are also playing a role. Intend Indiana has been engaging with the Shelby County Builders Association to source labor and materials from within the community. This helps keep economic benefits local and fosters stronger relationships among stakeholders.

"This partnership shows what is possible when philanthropy, government, and nonprofit organizations work together," said a city official. "It’s not just about building houses. It’s about investing in people and preparing them to thrive."

With the success of this early phase, there is momentum to expand the program throughout Shelbyville and into other parts of Shelby County. Blue River Community Foundation’s leadership is helping to create a scalable model that brings housing within reach for more families while strengthening the community as a whole.

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