Students from Ben Davis High School’s Area 31 Career Center are tackling two major challenges at once – the shortage of affordable housing on Indy’s west side and the growing need for skilled construction workers.
Through a partnership with Indy Gateway, students are building homes in Wayne Township neighborhoods, gaining hands-on trade experience while strengthening the community. Since the partnership began in 2016, six homes have been completed, most in the Drexel Gardens area, with sales reinvested into future builds.
“We wanted to do what we could to raise the assessed value in Wayne Township,” said Lisa Bentley, Executive Director of Indy Gateway. “This program improves lives – both for the students and the neighborhoods they serve.”
Read the full story on WRTV Indianapolis:
Students build affordable housing on west side while gaining valuable skills (WRTV, Oct. 7, 2025)
