INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s Rental Assistance Portal is now accepting applications for the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) program. This program can provide eligible renters with up to 12 months of rental and home/utility assistance. More information, including the steps for renters to apply both online and over the phone, can be found on the top banner of the indianahousingnow.org Web site or by calling 2-1-1.
An eligible household under the IERA program, as defined by the U.S. Department of Treasury, is a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meets the following criteria:
• Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19
• Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median
Eligible renter households may receive up to 12 months of assistance. This includes:
• Forward facing rent and rental arrears capped at the Fair Market Rent
• Utilities, home energy, and internet arrears
• Any arrears must be for expenses incurred since April 1, 2020
• Mortgage Assistance — Indiana homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments can apply for mortgage assistance through the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN): 877gethope.org
• Utility Assistance — The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps Hoosier homeowners and renters pay their heat and electric bills: eap.ihcda.in.gov
• Coronavirus Eviction & Foreclosure Prevention Guide — This guide provides questions to frequently asked questions and resources for Indiana households financially impacted by COVID-19 to help them avoid eviction or foreclosure: in.gov/ihcda/coronavirus.htm