History of RADC
The Riley Area Revitalization Program was formed in 1979 as a nonprofit offshoot of the Riley Lockerbie Ministries Association. Its purpose was to facilitate business growth, social and human services development, and affordable housing in the Riley area. In 1997 the Board of Directors voted to change the name to Riley Area Development Corporation (RADC). Part of the rationale for the change was that the organization had achieved a lot toward its goal of revitalizing the Riley area. The Riley area had become a valuable asset to the larger community and a desirable place to live. However, there remained a need to ensure that further development enhanced the diverse and historic nature of these neighborhoods. The new name better described an organization that assumed this role. RADC exists as a stable forum to provide assistance and information to residents and businesses; to facilitate communication among and within its residential, business, and the governmental community; and to examine causes and issues impacting these groups.
Riley Area Development Corporation serves businesses, residents, social service agencies, and public facilities in the area. According to the 1990 Census, approximately 65% of the Riley area population is low to moderate-income people. Rough numbers would suggest that approximately 65% of the total population of the Riley area is below 80% of the Marion County median family income. The poverty rate is 29.4% for the total population and 50.4% for people who are 65 or older. The area residents are predominately single and live in non-family households.
RADC serves about 12,765 people and 7,394 households with a median income of $17,731 (2000 census). Homeowner households make up about 15% and renter households, 85% (1990 census). Reality and perception of the area can be quite different. It is home not only to new condominium developments and beautifully restored residences but also to a great deal of publicly subsidized housing. Rentals far outnumber homeownership. Although the trend is toward homeownership, the relative percentages are not expected to change substantially.
