IHCDA COVID-19 update: A message from Jake

IHCDA COVID-19 update: A message from Jake

I wanted to take some time this week to remind everyone of the many resources that are still available for households financially impacted by COVID-19:

Please note: The text that is bold and underlined below is hyperlinked. Clicking on these words will take you to a webpage where you can find additional information.

• Rental Assistance
  • State’s Rental Assistance Portal – Is still accepting applications for rental assistance from qualifying Indiana renters living outside of Marion County.
  • IndyRent Assistance Portal – Marion County residents that are having a hard time paying rent can apply through the IndyRent Assistance Portal. The IndyRent application process is currently open with no waitlist code required.
• Mortgage Assistance – Indiana’s Hardest Hit fund (HHF) is available to help Indiana homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments or who are unable to make future payments.
• Energy Assistance – Applications are being accepted for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP provides a one-time annual benefit to help with the high cost of home energy. An additional $350 CARES Act benefit is also available to qualifying households experiencing a reduction in income due to COVID-19.
• Food Assistance – To help Indiana residents locate available food resources the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) developed a new Food Assistance Availability Map.
• Indiana Township Trustees – Are elected individuals in each township who help residents obtain basic necessities. This includes help with shelter or housing costs, utility bills, food, clothing, and medical needs.
• Coronavirus Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Guide – Several statewide organizations collaborated on a guide to help prevent evictions and foreclosures. It includes answers to frequently asked questions and a list of resources for Indiana renters and homeowners.
• Landlord and Tenant Settlement Conference Program – The Landlord and Tenant Settlement Conference Program was designed to help residential landlords and tenants talk about their situation with the help of a facilitator to see if a settlement can be reached before an eviction. If an eviction case has already been filed, the facilitator works to find an agreement between the parties before the court decides in the eviction case.
• Eviction and Foreclosure Moratoriums
  • Eviction Moratorium – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) put in place a Temporary Halt on Residential Evictions to Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19 in September. This agency order protects renters across the United States from facing eviction for non-payment until December 31, 2020.
  • Foreclosure Moratoriums – The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) each have foreclosure moratoriums in place until December 31, 2020. These moratoriums cover FHA-insured single-family mortgages, Freddie Mae and Freddie Mac backed single-family mortgages, USDA single-family housing direct and guaranteed loans, and VA-guaranteed loans, respectively.
• Be Well Indiana – The Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction has compiled resources designed to help Hoosiers stay connected and maintain their well-being. The mental health information on this website has been validated by local and national experts.
• IN 211 – Indiana 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps Hoosiers across the state find the local resources they need. Navigators are available to assist individuals in need of assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Thank you for your continued partnership and help in sharing information about these key resources to Hoosiers in need. Together we will get through this. #INthistogether.

J. Jacob Sipe
Executive Director