(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana residents in need of rental assistance should apply now to a new, federally-funded, state program offering assistance on a first-come, first-served basis.  

 

People can apply online at IndianaHousingNow.org to the new Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) program.  The IERA program is designed to decrease evictions, increase housing stability and prevent homelessness by helping renters whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 with rent and utility assistance.

 

IERA can provide eligible renter households with up to 12 months of rental assistance.  Qualifying applicants may also receive utility assistance for past due utilities (electric, gas, water, sewer, and trash), home energy (fuel oil, wood, coal, pellets, and propane) expenses, and assistance with past due expenses for internet/broadband.

 

Qualifications for this rental assistance program are broader than past rental assistance offerings and landlords are able to apply on behalf of tenants.  Past recipients of rental assistance from either RAF or ESG may be eligible to receive IERA assistance.

 

The assistance provided by IERA cannot duplicate the months of assistance provided by the prior program. If a household received rental assistance in November, December, January, and February they may receive IERA assistance beginning in March.