INDIANAPOLIS — Dreams will be coming true for two Indianapolis families soon. It’s all part of the city’s Vacant to Vibrant pilot program turning vacant city-owned properties into new affordable housing options. “When the administration launched the Vacant to Vibrant program, we had a vision for the abundance of empty land in our city,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “We recognized the potential of this land back then and to see that potential fully realized today is a gratifying experience.” On Wednesday, Mayor Joe Hogsett, along with different organizations and community partners, held a ribbon cutting for the first two homes completed as part of the initiative. “I am really glad they put the new houses up there because it has been bare for quite a while,” said Gloria Johnson who lives across the street from the new homes. “I actually watched them build it from the ground up!” Haughville looking for public feedback in creation of new riverfront vision plan “I am excited,” said Ronald Covington, a local pastor and VP of the Haughville Strong Community Organization. “I have been coming by here watching the building of it, so we are excited about this and other projects that will be coming in the future." The three-bed, two-bathroom homes along North Pershing Avenue in Haughville is just the start for this program and was made possible by a number of different organizations. This includes the Westside Community Development Corporation (WCDC), the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the National Urban League, and Citizens Energy Group. The goal is to turn dozens of old empty and unused city-owned properties into affordable homes. “The ribbon gives everyone that is out here and everyone that will see this a sense of hope, like maybe I'll be the next one, you know? Covington said. “I am excited. It’s really exciting just to see this happen today.” There is still a lot more to come but unveiling the first two homes in this neighborhood was a big deal for the people living here. “I think our community has been neglected for so long and now we can see some things happening,” Covington said. Haughville residents seek Broad Ripple public safety parity As part of the initiative, nearly $6 million will be dedicated to making these new homes available for rent, ownership,and lease-to-purchase. They will be available to anyone making 80-percent or less of the area median income. “These two homes that we stand in front of today demonstrate a larger commitment of ours here in the city of Indianapolis; A commitment to end the shortage of affordable housing once and for all,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. City leaders plan to unveil 47 more homes in different parts of Indianapolis in the next several years.