It's no secret that rent in Indiana has gone up significantly in the past few years. If you are a part of the one-third of Hoosiers who rent a living space, it is possible that you may at some point find yourself in an emergency situation in which you need help making rent. Fortunately, there are several Indiana emergency rental assistance programs out there to help.

Particularly in the years during and following the COVID-19 pandemic, countless renters have found themselves in situations of financial instability that put them in danger of homelessness. It’s important to be familiar with rental assistance options available in your community so that you can act quickly when you or someone you know needs help.

Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance

The Indiana state government offers several different programs to help tenants pay rent and maintain safe, stable housing. Here are a few of the programs that your household may want to apply for if you’re struggling to pay your rent.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance program can provide up to 12 months of rental assistance for eligible residents of Indiana. The amount and time length of the aid will depend on your household size and the region of Indiana where you live. To see if you are eligible for this program, you can fill out their Indiana emergency rental assistance application.

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing

If you or someone in your household is a VA health care eligible veteran, you may be eligible for the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. This program is meant to help reduce homelessness among veterans and encourage veterans to get the healthcare treatment and assistance they need to live healthy lives in the community.

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance

The Indiana Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program is meant to help low-income families with at least one household member who was formerly incarcerated. The exact amount of assistance varies by household and is determined based on the following:

Household income.
The landlord requested rent.
A rent reasonableness standard.

The Salvation Army

Whether you’ve used one of their food banks or shopped at one of their thrift stores, chances are, you’ve heard of the Salvation Army before. They offer help with a variety of housing expenses, including both rent and utilities. You can provide your zip code to locate your nearest Salvation Army location and contact them to get financial assistance.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

This is a cash assistance program that is available to households that include children under the age of 18. The exact amount given to each household is determined based on available income, such as wages and child support, compared to the need standard for a family that size. This cash assistance can help families pay rent as well as other essentials, like utilities and food.

Modest Needs Foundation

The Modest Needs Foundation is focused on helping individuals and families who live just above the poverty line, making them ineligible for many common types of emergency assistance. If your household lives just above the poverty level and has recently experienced a documented emergency that left you unable to pay rent, the Modest Needs Foundation’s grants could be a helpful resource for you.

Indianapolis Emergency Rental Assistance

Marion County, which includes the greater Indianapolis area, struggles with high eviction and homelessness rates. Here are some of the additional rental assistance programs available to people living in and around Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Township Trustees

The Indianapolis Township trustees provide funding to eligible Indianapolis renters in need of temporary assistance. To apply for temporary assistance, call the center and schedule an appointment. When you go in person, remember to bring proof of income, receipts for housing payments, tax returns from the previous year, some form of ID, and birth certificates for any children in the home.

Direct Emergency Financial Assistance

The Damien Center in Indianapolis offers emergency financial assistance to Indianapolis residents who need help making rent, paying for utilities, or managing other financial emergencies. Their Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) program is a great option if you need short-term assistance.

Finding Emergency Rental Assistance in Indiana

Whether this is your first time learning about emergency rental assistance or you’ve been struggling for a while, there is help out there.

For help finding the right Indiana emergency rental assistance program for your needs, you can search the Affordable Housing Hub database to get an overview of your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I need housing assistance for a longer period of time?

For longer-term housing assistance visit the Affordable Housing Hub to explore options in finding affordable housing. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority has more information on long-term housing.

How long does it take to receive rent assistance?

Depending on the type of program you are applying for, receiving aid can take. It is also never guaranteed that you will receive emergency rent assistance as funding is almost always limited, so it is important to start the process as soon as possible.

Is IERA available in every county of Indiana?

No, each county varies in the type of assistance available and some are not participating in IERA. Marion County and Hamilton County in particular run separate housing assistance programs, so you will need to go through the county to apply to those programs.