Yvonda A. Bean is set to take the helm as the new CEO of the Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA), starting February 17, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Indianapolis. Bean's appointment comes after significant operational and fiscal issues led HUD to assume control over the agency in April of the preceding year. With over two decades of experience in public housing, her selection is seen as a crucial step towards rectifying the IHA's longstanding difficulties.

Bean's background includes serving as CEO of Columbia Housing and Cayce Housing in South Carolina, president of SC Affordable Housing Initiatives and Columbia Housing and Development, and leading the recovery of two previously troubled housing agencies. Her leadership has been marked by a strong commitment to HUD compliance and operational excellence, according to a news release from the City of Indianapolis and HUD, as reported by FOX59. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett expressed enthusiasm for Bean's expertise in supporting IHA residents.

In her previous role before coming to Indianapolis, Bean implemented significant initiatives, including overseeing $100 million in new construction developments and creating partnerships with community colleges to provide free tuition to public housing residents, as highlighted in a press release detailed by WISH-TV. Her accolades include being named NAHRO's 2023 Professional of the Year and 2024 Advocate of the Year, recognizing her contributions to housing and community development.

An investigation by Mirror Indy unearthed that the IHA had been unable to properly manage its Section 8 housing voucher program for over two decades. The agency's failures occasionally led to fewer people being housed than the agency's available funding could support, and in certain instances, this resulted in homelessness for Section 8 renters. Bean, in a HUD news release, expressed her honor at being selected for the CEO role at IHA and her commitment to the belief that "housing is a right and not a privilege—everyone deserves access to safe, affordable housing."

As Bean prepares to begin her tenure in Indianapolis, stakeholders are hopeful that her strategic and resident-focused approach will guide IHA through its process of recovery. Her past success in stabilizing the Lafayette, Louisiana housing authority and overseeing significant improvements at the Columbia Housing Authority suggests a forward path for the Indianapolis Housing Agency, which critically requires leadership capable of tackling its operational challenges head-on.