A new community art display at the Hamilton East Public Library’s Fishers location is encouraging visitors to reflect on the meaning of home and learn about the need for affordable housing.
Housing Rocks, an initiative from Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development, features rocks painted by elementary students, church groups, volunteers and community-event participants. Each artist created a design representing what home means to them.
Together, the rocks form a colorful collection of personal stories and perspectives.
Visitors can scan a QR code accompanying the display to learn more about Housing Rocks, local housing needs and HAND’s work with community partners.
The initiative comes as rising housing costs place greater pressure on Hamilton County residents. According to the 2026 United Way ALICE Report, 34,764 county households are living in poverty or below the ALICE Threshold.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The term describes households with working adults who earn more than the eligibility limits for many assistance programs but still struggle to pay for housing, child care, food, transportation and health care.
If those households formed a separate county, it would rank as Indiana’s 19th largest by number of households, according to HAND.
“Home means something different to every person, but everyone deserves the opportunity to have a home,” HAND Executive Director Andrea Davis said. “Housing Rocks invites people to reflect on what home means, learn more about the housing challenges many of our neighbors face, and consider how each of us can help create communities where everyone has a place to call home.”
HAND hopes to expand the initiative through partnerships with schools, churches, businesses, community organizations and volunteers. Groups interested in painting rocks, hosting the display or bringing the program to another community may contact HAND Marketing and Fundraising Manager Kerri Hubble through the organization.
Founded in 2003, HAND builds, preserves and advocates for affordable housing in Hamilton, Boone and Tipton counties. More information is available at handincorporated.org or by calling 317-674-8108.