Public Policy Institute, Indiana University

Permanent URI for this community

https://hdl.handle.net/2450/10117

The Indiana University Public Policy Institute was established in 2008 as a multidisciplinary institute with the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). Its original function was to serve as an umbrella organization for the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment (CUPE), established in 1992, and the Center for Criminal Justice Research (CCJR), established in 2008. These centers are now represented by research areas within the institute. The IU Public Policy Institute conducts research, policy analysis, program evaluation, facilitated discussions, and long-term planning for clients from the public, private, government, academic, and nonprofit sectors. Its primary areas of research are economic development, tax and finance, criminal justice, public safety, housing and community development, and land use and the environment.

Browse

Browsing Public Policy Institute, Indiana University by Subject "Community development"

Now showing 1 - 10 of 21
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    2014 HUD Point-in-Time Count: Homelessness in Indianapolis
    (IU Public Policy Institute, 2014-06) Littlepage, Laura; Majors, Jessica; Schafer, Kayli
    The 2014 Point-in-Time Homeless Count in Marion County took place on January 29, 2014. On that night, 1,897 individuals experiencing homelessness in shelters and on the street were counted. Though the total represents a 19 percent increase over the 2013 account, there was a drop in persons found on the street in 2014 compared to 2013. One potential explanation for the decrease was the extreme cold weather. By the night of the count, Marion County had already had 27 inches of snow and several days of subzero temperatures during the month of January. Based on national research, estimates suggest that the number who experience homelessness at some point during the year is three to five times the number counted during a point-in-time count. Using this year's data and count, an estimated 7,543 (actual HMIS and Wheeler numbers) to 9,485 (Point-in-Time results x 5) individuals in Marion County experience homelessness during the course of a year.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessment of the Impact of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick
    (IU Public Policy Institute, 2015-03) Burow, Sue; Majors, Jessica
    The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick is expected to make a wide range of contributions to the quality of life and economy of central Indiana. This evaluation establishes a baseline for future evaluations and begins to measure the impact of the Cultural Trail. To complete this evaluation, the Institute used a multi-faceted approach to capture the contributions the Cultural Trail makes to both the economy and quality of life in central Indiana. This impact can be measured in various ways at different levels of detail. The present analysis, includes counts of the number of individuals using the Trail, and Trail user and business surveys. The evaluation also seeks to detail perceptions of the Trail, and examines the impact of new business investment and growth in property value assessments. Finally, trail usage data and survey response data are used to quantify consumer spending that may be attributed to the Cultural Trail. The issue brief, Reasons to Love the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick, summarizes some of the findings.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Development of Evaluation Instruments for The LEAGUE
    (IU Public Policy Institute, 2007-05) Littlepage, Laura
    The LEAGUE has asked the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment to develop evaluation instruments for The LEAGUE, a system for schools and students to engage in a series of service events in the community.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Entire Neighborhoods Benefit from Investments in Urban Forests
    (IU Public Policy Institute, 2007-12) Payton, Seth; Klacik, Drew; Lindsey, Greg
    This fact sheet is the third in a series discussing the economic benefits of Indiana's urban forest.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Gaps in Services for People Experiencing Homelessness in Marion County
    (IU Public Policy Institute, 2015-03) Littlepage, Laura
    As part of the two-year process to develop a new strategic plan to address homelessness in Indianapolis, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) asked the Institute to identify potential gaps in service provision in the system. The Institute gathered data and input from a range of sources using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Sources included focus groups of those experiencing homelessness and service providers, stakeholder in from service providers and members of the Continuum of Care, and a survey.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Gaps in Services for People Experiencing Homelessness in Marion County: An Initial Overview
    (IU Public Policy Institute, 2014-04) Littlepage, Laura
    As part of the implementation of a strategic planning process for the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP), the Indiana University Public Policy Institute (Institute) produced this report identifying potential gaps in service provision in the system. The Institute gathered data and input from a range of sources using both qualitative and quantitative methods. For the community needs assessment, the triangulated data includes several sources: Focus groups of those experiencing homelessness Stakeholder input obtained from interaction with service providers and members of the Continuum of Care Quantitative data from compilation and analysis of relevant data sources Survey of service-providing members of the Continuum of Care While those experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis have many needs, several were identified as gaps in the system that should be addressed to improve service provision: There are gaps in available data since almost half of the system of providers are not included in HMIS. There is a need for more permanent supportive housing evidenced by the waiting list of over 140 completed applications. People with felony convictions experiencing homelessness (almost 2,000 in 2013) need more assistance to find employment, mainstream housing, or even for some to access supportive housing programs and government assistance such as SNAP (food stamps) and TANF. The most cited reason for lack of permanent housing was loss of a job. Obtaining employment is difficult for some because of insufficiencies in transportation, life skills, education, training, and because of felony convictions. There is a need for diversification in types of emergency shelter inventory including beds that are not tied to religious participation, do not depend on marital status, or require children for adults to be considered a family. In 2013, according to HMIS, there were 640 young adults (ages 18-25) experiencing homelessness with 22 percent in school. Specific resources should be targeted to this vulnerable population.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Hoosier Health and Access to Care
    (IU Public Policy Institute, 2015-12) Burow, Sue
    This issue brief looks at health and well-being in Indiana by the geographical areas of the Thriving Communities, Thriving State project using a framework of the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute as well as an assessment of the Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in the state. The key findings are: Indiana residents report different health status based on their location in the state. Mid-sized areas report the lowest number of poor or fair health days while rural areas report the highest. Rural residents have lower access to healthcare providers, often well below the statewide rate. Only 9 percent of physicians statewide practice in rural areas; down from 25 percent in 1940. The share of Indiana physicians in mid-sized areas has increased from 17 to 28 percent since 1940. There is strong demand for healthcare practitioners at various education levels throughout the state. Programs are available to assist communities in attracting and retaining healthcare practitioners.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Indiana Community Needs Assessment Conducted for the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority
    (IU Public Policy Institute, 2015-04) Burow, Sue; Littlepage, Laura; Majors, Jessica
    The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) is the state oversight agency for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Funds made available through this grant are used to support activities that alleviate poverty for low-income families and individuals at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level. Indiana receives approximately $9 million annually. By regulation, 90 percent of the funds are allocated to private nonprofits or local units of government that provide self-sufficiency programs. In Indiana, funds are allocated to the state’s 22 Community Action Agencies (CAA). According to federal regulations, the state and the CAAs are required to conduct a community needs assessment. The goals of the community needs assessment are to identify the current state of low-income families and to identify gaps in services for low-income families within local communities. The data required to support this report come from three groups of data: qualitative data gathered from six regional focus groups with stakeholders (one urban and one rural in each of the three regions—north, central, and south); quantitative data collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Indiana Business Research Center, Uniform Crime Reporting Data, Indiana Methamphetamine Investigation System, Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, and the Indiana Community Services Block Grant Data; and several surveys conducted at all CAA locations.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Indiana in Perspective
    (IU Public Policy Institute, 2015-01) Marron, John; Mulholland, Zachary
    The second project under the Policy Choices Initiative, Thriving Communities, Thriving State, continues the conversation about the challenges to and opportunities for creating a vibrant future for Indiana, but from a place-based context. This issue brief serves as an overview of the typology used in Thriving Communities, (urban areas, mid-sized areas, and small town/rural areas) and presents summary data based on this typology, including demographics, health and well-being data, and economic data. Place is an important unit of analysis in the competition for attracting business and residents. Ultimately, however, the futures of many Hoosier communities are inextricably inked to the successes of surrounding communities. While every place has its own unique set of needs and successes, leaders must think hard about how those things that create identity for their community can continue to add community value as part of a network of places.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Many Families in Indianapolis Not Able to Find Shelter
    (IU Public Policy Institute, 2015-07) Littlepage, Laura; Sankari, Ashley
    The annual Marion County Point-in-Time Count conducted January 28, 2015, found 1,897 individuals experiencing homelessness – a decrease from the previous year's count. National research suggests the number of people experiencing homelessness at some point during the year is 3-5 times the number in a point-in-time count. In 2015, then, the Marion County estimate for the year is between 5,000 and 8,330 people. New to this year's survey, respondents were asked about pets. Approximately 80 pets were reported. Some shelters do not permit pets, which can create a barrier for people experiencing homelessness.
This material may be protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code), which governs reproduction, distribution, display, and certain other uses of protected works. The user of this material is responsible for compliance with the law.