Eviction program ordered by Indiana Supreme Court slow to take off
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The rental assistance diversion program ordered into existence by the Indiana Supreme Court has been slow to catch on. Landlords and tenants News 8 talked to say there are just too many questions.
Dian Hutchinson says she is one of the few people to have a landlord accept the diversion program. Hutchinson told I-Team 8 she has received rental assistance from the city and with the help of the diversion program, is making arrangements to pay further back rent.
“It is actually a second chance to make things better for people that’s not financially stable,” Hutchinson said.
The Indiana Supreme Court ordered the diversion program to begin this month, hoping to slow the number of evictions.
I-Team 8 obtained numbers from the court that show early participation in the program has been slow. In the first week of November, eight cases entered the diversion program. In the second week, the number was 23. Another 600 have been advised of the program. Every new eviction case is to be informed of the program and how it works. Eviction Task Force Chairman Judge Robert Altice says the numbers don’t tell the full story for “several reasons.”
“One, it is still new. People are trying to figure things out,” Altice said.
He also says a court in Lake County had 16 of 53 eviction cases continued by participation in the program Tuesday. However, almost half of the other cases were no-shows.
“The other thing that struck me as well, were out of these 53 cases that were set out on the docket, I observed that approximately 20-plus of the tenants didn’t even show up for the hearing,” Altice said.
Robert Lyon is a landlord with about 50 rentals around central Indiana. I-Team 8 came across Lyon after he had filled an eviction notice at the Center Township Small Claims Court. Lyon says he just found out about the program a couple days ago and isn’t sold on the idea. He echoes the complaint that renters aren’t showing up to court.
“I think a lot of it is being used, but maybe we could restructure what we have and maybe not change anything but maybe add something new so we can see what the disconnect, why is an individual not showing up to court and why do I have to come to court to file the paperwork,” Lyon said.
Lyon says the merit of the program is good, adding there are millions of rental assistance dollars available — possibly too much — but getting the money flowing has been an issue. Still, he says only those who will take to the time to ask for help and follow through with the paperwork will benefit.
“It all goes back to management,” Lyon said. “It all goes back to resources and having a way we are working with the individual one at a time. Let’s find out what they can do, what is available.”
The court’s new order does not provide any direct financial assistance, but provides time for the tenant and landlord to apply together for assistance.
The court has no intention of mandating participation in the program by either the landlord or the tenant.