The Sunday Post - Nov 30, 2025: Holiday Giving, Housing Hub Funding, and SmartIndy Housing Work
- Michael-Paul Hart
- Nov 30, 2025
- 4 min read
A weekly report from Councilor Michael-Paul Hart — Building the Smartest City in America.
Volume 1, Issue 4
Your Weekly Look at Progress Across Indianapolis
Thanksgiving week is usually a little quieter, but the work of building the smartest city in America keeps going.
This week I focused on a few Indianapolis City Council updates: an upcoming key council vote on downtown funding & Irvington DORA, holiday giving with Walmart and SmartIndy, and launching a new Housing and Homelessness Policy Committee.
DORA and Housing Hub Vote on December 1
This coming Monday, December 1, the full Council will take up two items that will shape how downtown and our neighborhoods feel in the years ahead:
A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) proposal for Irvington
Funding from the Downtown Economic Enhancement District (EED) to help operate the new Housing Hub and other initiatives in downtown Indianapolis.
What a DORA would do in Irvington
A DORA allows people to carry one open container between participating businesses inside a defined district. Think of it as a walkable zone where you can leave one restaurant or bar and visit another without throwing your drink away, as long as you stay in the marked area.
I spoke with the Chief of Police about the Irvington proposal. He pointed out that there are parts of Indy where a DORA would not be a good fit, but Irvington was not on that list. It is a calmer district where people want to walk, talk, and relax.
Going into Monday, my approach is:
Look at this DORA request on its own facts, not as a blanket rule for the whole city.
Put public safety and enforcement capacity first.
If we want to be the smartest city in America, we have to test ideas in the right places and watch the results, not just copy what other cities do.
Housing Hub funding through the Economic Enhancement District
Economic Enhancement District was created to help fund the new Housing Hub downtown.
Here is the plain version:
Property owners inside the EED District pay an additional fee.
That money helps cover extra cleaning and safety services downtown, plus operations for the new low barrier Housing Hub.
The state is helping pay for construction, and the city is helping pay to keep the doors open and the lights on.
The Housing Hub is designed to be a single point of entry where people can come inside, sleep safely, and connect with housing, health, and case management services.
As one of the leaders on the Council, I will be looking for:
Clear public reporting on how EED dollars are used.
Data on how many people the Housing Hub moves into stable housing, not just how many beds are filled.
Holiday Giving: Walmart Surprise Drops and SmartIndy Toy Drive
I joined Walmart’s WhoKnewVille team this week as they surprised a southside neighborhood with gifts on doorsteps. No speeches, no stage, just simple kindness that reminds people Indy looks out for its neighbors.
Now I am asking you to help us keep that spirit going.
SmartIndy Holiday Toy Drive
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Location: The Alchemist, 1660 Bellefontaine Street
We are collecting:
New toys
New kids clothing
Personal hygiene items
All donations go to Firefly Family Alliance, which walks alongside families and kids in tough seasons.
How to help
RSVP:
Amazon list if you cannot attend:
I would love to see you there, introduce you to other neighbors, and show how SmartIndy is pairing generosity with smart policy work.
New: SmartIndy Housing and Homelessness Policy Committee
If we want to lead Marion County on housing, we need a working group that is practical and data focused.
You are invited to the kickoff of the SmartIndy Housing and Homelessness Policy Committee.
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM (doors at 5:30)
Location: Southeast Community Services Center, 901 Shelby St
RSVP here:
At this first meeting we will:
Set the purpose and expectations of the committee
Share what people are seeing on the ground across the county
Look at how other cities use data, benchmarks, and public dashboards
Start an idea lab for prevention, long term housing options, tenant protections, and transparency tools
Identify a coordinator so the committee can work regularly and stay connected with my office
My goal is for Indianapolis to be known not just for talk about homelessness, but for real, measurable progress.
Thanksgiving, Circle of Lights, and Gratitude
Finally, I hope you had a meaningful Thanksgiving.
On Friday I joined thousands of families downtown for the 63rd Circle of Lights celebration on Monument Circle. Watching kids see the monument light up never gets old. It is a reminder of why safe streets, clean public spaces, and strong neighborhoods matter.
Thank you for reading, sharing ideas, and holding me accountable as we work to make Indianapolis the smartest city in America.
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Thank you for reading and for supporting common‑sense leadership. Together, and with the community driving accountability, we are turning bold ideas into real‑world results.
Accountability, Transparency and Local Leadership
See you next week with more updates from the Neighborhood.
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