How to apply for up to 3 months of free rental assistance in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Millions of dollars in rental assistance is on the way to Marion County residents struggling to pay rent during the coronavirus pandemic.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the city’s plans to start a rental assistance program Wednesday morning in a teleconference with the news media. The City-County Council on June 8 approved $79 million in spending to recover from the coronavirus pandemic; that total included $15 million for the rental assistance from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Terry Majors, an Indianapolis renter, was on the way to pay his rent Wednesday. “Well, my rent right now is $765.”
He lost his job in April because of the coronavirus pandemic, and his apartment operator has tried to make things easier.
“Removing late fees.The credit option that they’re giving us, even this month,” Majors said.
He plans to apply for Marion County’s assistance. “I’m just glad that we’re able to do something,” Majors said.
Gov. Eric J. Holcomb on June 30 extended a prohibition on evictions and foreclosures across the state through July 31 as Hoosiers recover from the economic implications of the coronavirus pandemic. The Republican governor says the state has plans to start a rental assistance program July 13 for Hoosiers in all 91 counties except Marion County because it has its own program.
Marion County’s program will launch Monday. Mayor Hogsett said he expects 7,000 to 11,000 households to get up to three months of rental help.
The Democratic mayor said, “This is not the end of our relief efforts as a city. As long as the pandemic affects the lives of Indianapolis families, the city of Indianapolis and our partners will be doing all we can to relieve and to repair the harm done.”
In addition to the federal money for Marion County’s rental assistance, the Lilly Endowment has committed up to $10 million.
Tony Mason, president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Urban League, said Wednesday, “Eligible individuals are individuals who are financially impacted by job loss, wage reduction, or the ability to earn wages due to COVID-19.”
The city said the tenants’ part of application process at Indyrent.org should take about 10 minutes. After tenants apply, their landlords or property managers need to fill out another part of the application. Then, city officials will review the application.
“Then, hopefully, as quickly as possible, transmitting funds to the landlord to give a tenant a bit of a sigh of relief,” said Jeff Bennett, the city’s deputy mayor of community development.
According to a news release from the city government, renters will need to provide income information from February, and income and unemployment information since March 1.
Several community organizations will be available to assist residents with language and technology barriers.
If a landlord decides not to be part of the process, Bennett said, money is available from the Federal Emergency Solutions Grant fund to help those renters.
People can call 317-912-1260 for more information about the rental assistance program.