Prosperity Indiana, the statewide association for community economic development, has released its 2026 Policy Agenda, focused on recommendations to address the state’s affordability crisis, and invites members of its statewide network to discuss potential solutions at their upcoming Policy & Pizza regional legislator meeting series.
The new policy agenda, titled Strengthening Indiana’s Communities and Supporting Those Who Serve Hoosiers, reflects the results of Prosperity Indiana’s survey of over 200 organizational members as ratified by the association’s Policy Committee and Board of Directors. The 2026 agenda addresses issues of affordable housing, community development resources, asset-building, and consumer protection issues, as well as urgent & emerging priorities that cross all policy areas.
A common theme among members’ policy survey responses is the growing reality that Indiana has become an unaffordable state, not only for Hoosier households whose incomes have not kept up with housing and other basic costs, but also for the community organizations who serve them and have been subject to state and federal cuts and rising administrative costs.
Over the past year, more than two-thirds of PI Policy Survey respondents report that budget and policy changes at the federal and state levels have significantly or moderately decreased the ability of their organization to serve Hoosiers and their community (0% say policy changes have increased their ability to serve). As a result of policy changes, more than 40% of respondents have: eliminated programs or services; eliminated staff positions or are not filling roles; or have reduced the scope of clients they can serve – or are considering doing so.
At the same time, Prosperity Indiana’s most recent research finds that 14 of the state’s 20 largest occupations no longer pay an income sufficient to meet the state’s housing wage of $22.18 per hour necessary to afford a modest two-bedroom home, up from 9 of the top 20 occupations just three years ago.
As a result, PI’s 2026 Policy Agenda focuses on solutions to increase affordability for Hoosier households as well as to strengthen the capacity of the organizations who provide housing and economic opportunity for all Hoosiers. Our members’ priorities range from increasing the supply of safe, affordable housing, to combatting wealth loss through homeowner repair, to reducing the benefits cliff for vulnerable families. Newly trending priorities for 2026 include increasing resources for organizations who serve their communities while defending those organizations from attacks and cuts.
To introduce the 2026 agenda and discuss issues of housing and economic opportunity with local policymakers, Prosperity Indiana invites its network and members of the public to its ‘Policy & Pizza’ regional legislator meeting series. Registration and additional information can be found in the links below.
View the 2026 Policy Agenda here.
