Merchants Affordable Housing Corp. has become RDOOR Housing Corp. as it embarks on its next chapter as one of the largest nonprofit affordable housing providers in Indiana.
“Though we are proud of our founding connection to Merchants Bank of Indiana and their continued support of our organization, as we grow in size and scope, RDOOR captures what we do and what we will be,” said RDOOR president and CEO Bruce R. Baird. “RDOOR comes from the word ardor, meaning passion. RDOOR embodies our team’s unyielding passion for improving people’s lives by increasing access to quality rental housing opportunities while building or renovating affordable and safe homes.”
The organization and its closely aligned affiliates have a portfolio of more than 3,000 units throughout Marion County and Indiana, and the team is continuing to look for opportunities to expand outside the state.
“We are happy to have partners such as Partners in Housing and the city of Indianapolis supporting us in our work,” said RDOOR board chair Walter Freihofer. “At RDOOR, we aren’t bound by neighborhood geography or a specific set of services; rather, our team offers a creative, resourceful, and holistic approach to support a diverse population of individuals, families, and seniors, no matter their socioeconomic status.”
As part of the rebrand implementation, the organization has renovated the former Girls, Inc., office as its headquarters. The downtown Indianapolis location will allow the RDOOR team to be closer to its clients and co-locate with Partners in Housing. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place in the spring.
RDOOR’s portfolio consists of 19 properties located throughout the state. A hallmark project is The Village of Merici, which rehabilitated a historic building on the Fort Benjamin Harrison campus in Lawrence. It includes 20 ADA-compliant, modern apartments for adults with developmental disabilities funded with low-income housing tax credits. The property offers a uniquely interdependent community for residents, support staff, community coaches, and families to create an environment that affords the residents a solid foundation on which to grow as individuals in self-sufficiency and independence.
The organization has plans to add more affordable housing options and services in 2023. Last year, RDOOR supported 363 households exiting homelessness, including 292 permanent housing placements through HomeNow Indy. As a result, RDOOR was awarded $8 million in grant funds to support those experiencing homelessness with placement in permanent housing. RDOOR also acquired the 40-unit Wexford on the Park senior apartments on the near westside of Indianapolis and 50 units of affordable housing in midtown called Illinois Place Apartments. RDOOR preserved more than 350 units of affordable housing that were at risk of defaulting or converting to market rate in 2022.
