IHCDA continues to monitor the situation with COVID-19 in Indiana as circumstances change and additional information becomes available. To provide transparency and customer service, IHCDA will update Community Service contacts with any updates to policies or procedures.

Indiana Housing and Community
Development Authority Updates

Rental Assistance Programs: www.indianahousingnow.org

IHCDA Rental Assistance Intake Process Launched Monday, July 13th

IHCDA has announced the new Rental Assistance Intake Process through their website, www.indianahousingnow.org. There are two programs included in this portal to help as many Hoosiers affected by Covid-19 who are in need rental assistance, a Rental Assistance Fund and the ESG-CV Homeless Prevention program. The Community Services team is overseeing the ESG-CV Homeless Prevention funding within this process.  

To qualify for ESG Homeless Prevention funds, an individual or family must meet the following criteria:

1. Are affected by COVID-19, either medically or financially,
2. Need rental assistance,
3. Plan to stay in their home,
4. Are requesting assistance to their primary place of residence,
5. Have a current lease,
6. Meet the income standards for the program,
7. Live outside of Marion County,
8. Do not currently receive other rental assistance, and
9. Can provide documentation showing their need for rental assistance.

Clients apply for funding through the portal and IHCDA staff will review them first.  If pre-approved, the client is sent to a local “HUB”, or entities, that will assist in funding and assisting those in need.  These HUBS will work locally with clients and landlords to help a client stay in their home.  Requirements of the HUBS include communicating with clients quickly and efficiently to provide assistance quickly, working with clients locally, submitting payments to landlords to prevent homelessness, submitting claims, and updating clients in HMIS in order to capture data and make data-driven decisions.

IHCDA has announced the Rental Assistance Fund (RAF), a program that was created from Indiana Cares Act discretionary funds for rental assistance.  The goal of the Rental Assistance Fund program is to improve housing stability and prevent evictions throughout the State of Indiana. 

To qualify for Rental Assistance Funds (RAF) funds, a household must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. The individual or household must be an Indiana renter that lives outside of Marion County
2. The individual or household must have experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19 because of an involuntary job layoff, reduced work hours, or reduced pay
3. The individual or household must be rent burdened or at risk of eviction or termination of tenancy for nonpayment of rent
4. The individual or household must not be currently receiving rental assistance through Section 8 or USDA Rural Development rental assistance programs or live in a public housing unit
5. and the individual or household may not receive another source of emergency rental assistance as part of COVID-19 response for any month for which the household is receiving RAF funds.

The funds will be dispersed through a network of participating providers including community action agencies, public housing authorities, and township trustees’ offices.  The requirements for these particular organizations includes executing a Participating Provider Agreement with IHCDA, working with applicants and landlords to collect current lease documents and documentation of arrears and determine the eligible amount and distribution of assistance between arrears and rental assistance, working with landlords to obtain information for payment method and execute the Rental Assistance Fund Addendum to the Leasing Agreement, and submitting client files through the online portal within two business days of approval. 

Reminder: Intake and screening are handled through www.indianahousingnow.org with a call center available for assistance. The intake process will launch on July 13, 2020.

IHCDA encourages individuals and organizations to use the following marketing materials to assist clients through this process.  For additional questions and concerns, please contact Elby Hilton at elhilton@ihcda.in.gov.  

Resources:

• Eviction Prevention Resources
• Emergency Solutions Grant – CV Homeless Prevention Frequently Asked Questions – English
• Emergency Solutions Grant – CV Homeless Prevention Frequently Asked Questions – Spanish
• Emergency Solutions Grant – CV Intake Assessment Process Flyer

These resources will be available at www.indianahousingnow.org

ESG-CV Shelter Operations, Rapid Rehousing, and Street Outreach Applications:

IHCDA is accepting applications from current Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) subrecipients who receive funding for rapid rehousing, shelter operations, and/or street outreach and who are experiencing an increased need for services due to COVID-19 pandemic.  Organizations must be a current subrecipient and in good-standing with IHCDA and/or HUD.  There will be two opportunities to apply to this funding, allowing subrecipients to submit applications should they determine a need later.  Applications will be due July 27 or August 24 by 5:00 pm.  If interested, please view https://www.in.gov/ihcda/files/ESG-CV%20Grant%20Application%20RRH,%20Shelter,%20Outreach%20FORM.pdf for the full application.

Reminder: For any questions regarding ESG-CV Shelter Operations, Rapid Rehousing, and Street Outreach Applications please contact Kristin Garvey at KriGarvey@ihcda.in.gov.  Completed applications can be submitted through the Community Services division email at CommunityServices@ihcda.in.gov

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

IHCDA has announced the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a program that can assist individuals or households in paying heat and electric bills.  The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is a federally funded program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Energy assistance is a one-time benefit that can assist individuals or households with the high cost of home energy and can assist with disconnections.

The minimum requirements to apply for the Energy Assistance Program include:

1. A completed and signed application
2. Proof of income for the past 3 months for all household members age 18 and over, except full time students
3. Proof of enrollment in school
4. Proof of any Social Security, SSI, or Disability benefits
5. Personal identification
6. A valid social security number
7. A copy of the households most recent utility bill for both heat and electric
8. If the utilities are grouped with rent, the individual or household must provide a current lease or Landlord Affidavit signed by the landlord, stating that the utilities are in the Landlord’s name.
9. To qualify for a homeowner’s benefit, the individual or household must provide proof of homeownership.

If interested, please view https://www.in.gov/ihcda/4067.htm for additional resources and a list of local service providers.

Reminder: The last day to apply for the Energy Assistance Program is July 31, 2020 for Program Year 2020.

Development Day

In conjunction with the Indiana Balance of State Continuum of Care Board of Directors, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s Community Services team presents virtual Development Day sessions.  IHCDA has created 8 sessions which can be viewed below.  To access the presentations, please view https://www.in.gov/ihcda/4156.htm

1. “Fair Housing – Emotional Support and Service Animals” – Presented by Amy Nelson
2. “Keeping Yourself Emotionally Healthy” – Presented by Caryn Burton
3. “OpenBeds – An Enhanced Approach to Behavioral Health” – Presented by Jeremy Prather 
4. “Grants Management 101 – Match” – Presented by Candace Jameson
5. “Grants Management 101 – Executed Agreements” – Presented by Alexander Taylor  
6. “Grants Management 101 – Claims” – Presented by Lisa Ditchley
7. “Indiana’s Housing First Project” – Presented by Zach Gross  
8. “Housing Choice Vouchers” – Presented by Jeff Zongolowicz

IHCDA Updates/Reminders

Sub-recipient Questions

• If you have a question or concerns about funding/grants during this time. Please reach out to the Community Services team for answer. Below we have listed out the contacts for each type of award and who to contact.
  • ESG, HOPWA, or TANF funds: Diane Walker; DiWalker@ihcda.IN.gov
  • CoC Funds: Candace Jameson or Alex Taylor; CaJameson@ihcda.IN.gov or AlTaylor@ihcda.IN.gov
  • HMIS: HMIS Help Desk or Grant Peters; HMIS@ihcda.IN.gov or GPeters@ihcda.IN.gov
• For general questions/concerns about the COVID-19 response
  • Elby Hilton, Director of Community Services; elhilton@ihcda.in.gov

Webinar Dates:

• CE Coordinators and Regional Chairs Weekly Meeting on July 16, 2020 12:15 PM EDT at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3778212631899777552.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
• CoC, HOPWA, TANF, ESG Recipients Monthly Meeting – Starting in July, the CoC, HOPWA, TANF, and ESG Recipients meeting will be scheduled monthly. Information about the next meeting will be forwarded to recipients.
•  HMIS Monthly Meeting on July 28, 2020 11:00 AM EDT at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/7400607564945493520 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.