The Polis Center works with its partners to define, measure,
and improve community health, well-being, and resiliency.

 

SAVI Talks: Empowering Indiana Communities with Evictions & Foreclosure Data

On Dec. 7, the Polis Center showcased a new statewide tool it developed that will help users better understand trends and relationships between evictions and societal factors. The goal of the tool is to raise awareness of evictions in Indiana and provide a resource to empower communities to instill change. Experts in the eviction and housing circle will serve as expert panelists to provide insight and perspective on this important topic. Partners in the project include WFYI Public Radio and New America, a “think and action” tank which focuses on equity at the center of its research and policy recommendations.

Data & Drafts: Evictions and foreclosures in Indiana

On Oct 7 we presented at the Indianapolis Public Library – Central Library about evictions and foreclosures in Indiana. Interactive online dashboards have been expanding across the country for eviction data, but often a disconnect still exists in passing off that important data to community members and organizations to actually instill positive change. Here, we showcased the early development of an interactive online dashboard for the entire state of Indiana that contains important and up-to-date information on both eviction and foreclosure data.

Lead exposure in the Indy East Promise Neighborhood

Where are children most affected and at risk for lead exposure in the Promise Neighborhood? Read our analysis of the adverse effects of childhood lead exposure, inequities relative to the rest of Marion County, and action steps regarding what can be done about it.

How is Indianapolis Doing?

This initiative features bimonthly e-newsletter updates on how the Indianapolis metro area is recovering and emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic on some of the most pressing and challenging issues in our community. August 2023 research  shows Indianapolis unemployment rate increasing from 2.6% in April to 3.6% in June (nationwide increase from 3.4% to 3.7%); housing prices in the Indianapolis metro area declined in July 2022 for the first time in nearly a year, although since April 2023, it has been steadily increasing again with July’s median home prices being close to $300K; Central Indiana monthly average monthly rent hovers around $1200/month; and there is a decline in homicides, although the rate is still higher than both 2017 and 2018.

Polis Center Experts in Disaster Resilience

The Polis Center’s expertise in neighborhood level community information differentiates it, bringing a holistic perspective to best identify improvements. It looks beyond the physical infrastructure elements of mitigation by bearing in mind a region’s vulnerable populations, social weaknesses and services, social determinants of health, and more when preparing a community’s MHMP.

Grow Regional Data System Powered by SAVI

Polis partnered with Welborn Baptist Foundation to customize the SAVI community information system to support the region’s Grow Capacity Building platform. The Grow data system aims to help local stakeholders better understand the community’s demographics, needs, and assets. The SAVI team also is building capacity of Grow leaders to support local organizations in their use of data.

Equity in Criminal Prosecutions: Analyzing Case Filings from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office

The Kheprw Institute and The Polis Center partnered to better understand the criminal justice system in Marion County and investigate potential disparities. Black defendants are significantly overrepresented in case filings compared to the Black share of the Marion County population. Over half of all cases filed by MCPO are against Black defendants while Black adults make up just 27% of the Marion County population.

Featured Projects and Maps

Empowering Indiana Communities with Evictions & Foreclosure Data

The Polis Center developed a new statewide tool to help users better understand trends and relationships between evictions and societal factors. The goal of the tool is to raise awareness of evictions in Indiana and provide a resource to empower communities to instill change. The tool debuted at the Dec 7 SAVI Talks event.

How is Indianapolis Doing?

This initiative features bimonthly e-newsletter updates on how the Indianapolis metro area is recovering and emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic on some of the most pressing and challenging issues in our community. Subscribe to our bimonthly newsletter to learn more about Indy's economic recovery, housing, gas prices, and more!