IHCDA COVID-19 update: A message from Jake

From Jake's Desk

IHCDA COVID-19 update: A message from Jake

Last month, Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced the allocation of $25 million in federal CARES Act funding to help Hoosiers living outside of Marion County struggling to pay rent through the creation of the Indiana COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program.

And at 9:00 am Eastern on Monday this week we opened the online rental assistance portal to begin accepting applications. In the first 48 hours, more than 11,000 Hoosiers submitted their application.

The IHCDA team, in close partnership with a statewide network of participating providers, are working diligently to not only review and process these applications, but to provide this much needed financial assistance for those that qualify for either the COVID-19 Rental Assistance or the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs. We expect payments to begin going out to participating landlords by the first week of August.

I would like to thank our local network of community organizations like not-for-profits, community foundations, Township Trustees, faith-based organizations, local elected officials, and employers for sharing information about this program across the state.

I encourage any Hoosier renter living outside of Marion County that has been adversely affected by COVID-19 to visit www.indianahousingnow.org and submit their application if they have not done so already.

Individuals that are unable to complete their application online, or speak another language other than English or Spanish, should call toll free 1-844-463-7368. For the most efficient processing of your application, we strongly encourage anyone that can complete their application online to please do so.

For homeowners, the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN) continues to be available to help Hoosiers that are at risk of foreclosure through Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund (HHF). Indiana homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage payment may be eligible for up to $30,000 in mortgage payment assistance. Reinstatement assistance is also available for homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage but can make payments now. For more information, please visit: www.877gethope.org.  

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is available for both renters and homeowners. In addition to the regular EAP benefit, additional funding was awarded to IHCDA through the CARES Act. While funds remain available, a one-time $350 benefit is available for those who qualify. The deadline to apply for this funding is July 31, 2020. For more information, please visit: eap.ihcda.in.gov.

Please continue to reach out to any member of our team, or myself directly jsipe@ihcda.in.gov or (317) 233-1811, if we can do anything to help you and your organization. We are #INthistogether.

Signature

J. Jacob Sipe
Executive Director

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