The creation of SEND by neighborhood residents has roots in the 1970s, which were a difficult time for the southeast side of Indianapolis. The construction of I-65 destroyed thousands of homes, hundreds of businesses, and many key schools and churches, while cutting a unified neighborhood into isolated pockets. The problem was compounded by the nationwide effects of suburban flight, redlining, and disinvestment in urban neighborhoods. These same impacts and their ripple effects are still impacting southeast neighborhoods today.

In response to this divestment and decline, on February 23rd, 1983, community groups, including the Fountain Square & Fletcher Place Investment Corporation and the Fountain Square Church & Community Project, began working together to support small home repair and urban design projects alongside volunteer efforts to rebuild affordable homes. Then, in 1993, these groups merged to form Southeast Neighborhood Development (SEND), creating a Community Development Corporation with a focus on both commercial viability and affordable housing in southeast.

Since its incorporation, SEND has invested more than $40 million dollars in affordable housing, commercial renovation, economic and small business support, and greenspace and public space improvements. These investments include:

• Transforming more than 130 deteriorated and vacant houses into affordable homes,

• Repairing more than 400 homes, making them safer and more energy efficient for homeowners, some of whom have lived in their homes for over 50 years,

• Developing 135 affordable rentals for residents ranging from senior citizens to families, to artists,

• Renovating and leasing more than 150,000 square feet of commercial space,

• Administering more than $422,486.65 dollars of investment through LISC Façade and COVID-19 relief grants, and

• Creating, improving, and maintaining 11 parks and public spaces.