Pando Aspen Grove Celebrates Five Years of Providing Housing and Hope for Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness
How Indianapolis’ First Housing-First Supportive Housing Community for Young Adults Is Transforming Lives
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Sept. 18, 2026)— Five years ago, community leaders came together with a shared vision: to provide young adults experiencing homelessness with safe housing, supportive services, and the opportunity to build lasting independence. Today, that vision continues through Pando Aspen Grove, Marion County's first permanent supportive housing community designed specifically for young adults ages 18 to 24.
Launched in 2021 through a partnership between Lutheran Child & Family Services (LCFS), Community Health Network, and TWG, Pando Aspen Grove is grounded in the nationally recognized Housing First model, which recognizes stable housing as the foundation for long-term success. The program serves young adults experiencing homelessness, including some who have a history of involvement in foster care or child welfare systems, by combining safe housing with individualized support services that help tenants achieve their personal, educational, and career goals.
As Pando celebrates five years of service, the program stands as a testament to the power of stable housing, community partnerships, and individualized support.
A Place to Call Home
Pando Aspen Grove consists of 30 one-bedroom apartment homes located on the east side of Indianapolis. Designed to promote both independence and connection, the community provides tenants with secure housing while offering access to shared community spaces, an on-site food pantry, case management services, educational support, and connection to critical resources. All tenants enter Pando Aspen Grove after experiencing homelessness and are referred through the Coordinated Entry System (CES), ensuring that housing and support are directed to those with the greatest need.
At Pando, housing is not viewed as a reward for meeting requirements. Instead, stable housing is recognized as the foundation from which young adults can address challenges, pursue goals, and build brighter futures.
Five Years of Impact
Since opening its doors in 2021, Pando Aspen Grove has served approximately 275 young adults, helping them take meaningful steps toward stability and self-sufficiency.
Over the past five years, Pando Aspen Grove has:
• Hosted 263 tenant community-building events for tenants, fostering connection, personal growth, and a sense of belonging.
• Maintained an average tenant stay of 18 months, offering the time and stability needed to achieve meaningful life goals.
• Supported tenants in reaching critical milestones, with 89% making progress toward their housing stability goals last month.
• Ensured access to individualized support, with 97% of tenants voluntarily engaging in services tailored to their personal goals and aspirations last month.
Lives Changed
While the numbers tell an important story, the true impact of Pando is reflected in the stories of the young people who have called it home.
For one Pando tenant, earning a GED had been a long-held dream, but taking the first step often felt out of reach. This year, with encouragement and support from Pando staff, he decided the time was right to pursue that goal.
After enrolling in a GED program and completing an initial assessment, he discovered that he was much closer to achieving his goal than he had imagined. His assessment demonstrated significant academic readiness, allowing him to advance through the process far more than expected.
Now, just weeks after beginning the program, he is on the verge of earning his GED.
This tenant’s story is a powerful example of how stable housing, individualized support, and personal determination can create opportunities for success.
Community Partnership in Action
Over the past five years, Pando’s impact has been driven by the power of partnership. From healthcare providers and housing experts to philanthropic organizations and community supporters, a network of dedicated partners has come together to invest in the success of young adults experiencing homelessness.
Among those partners, funding support from The Elevation Grant Program through the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has played a critical role in sustaining and enhancing tenant services. These investments help ensure that young adults have access not only to stable housing, but also to the resources, support, and opportunities needed to achieve long-term success.
“The story of Pando reminds us that change doesn’t happen because one person saves the day,” said De’Aundre Williams, Programs Manager for LCFS. “Change happens when ordinary people and committed partners decide that someone’s future is worth investing in. We may not be able to change every circumstance a young person has faced, but together, we can change what comes next. And sometimes, the most powerful thing we can give someone is not a promise that life will be easy, but the opportunity to believe that their best days can still be ahead.”
Looking Ahead
As Pando Aspen Grove enters its next chapter, the program remains committed to expanding opportunities for young adults experiencing homelessness and continuing to demonstrate how housing, support, and community can create lasting change.
Five years later, the mission remains unchanged: ensuring that every young person has the stability, dignity, and support needed not only to survive, but also to thrive.
For more information about Pando Aspen Grove and its services, visit lutheranfamily.org or contact programmanager@lutheranfamily.org.
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About Lutheran Child & Family Services
Since 1883, Lutheran Child & Family Services of Indiana/Kentucky has supported children, youth and families experiencing trauma, instability and hardship. LCFS provides behavioral health, residential, housing, family, and community-based services designed to promote healing, stability, and long-term independence.
LCFS's mission is “Engaging and Empowering Families and Community with Love, Compassion, Faith, and Support.”
For more information or media support, contact:
Mairin McCarthy
PRCommunications@lutheranfamily.org
317-860-1812 x 456
