Indianapolis launches revamped IndyRent program
Indianapolis, Indiana – The Mayor of Indianapolis, Joe Hogsett, has announced the relaunch of the IndyRent rental assistance program, which will begin on April 27, 2023.
The program was halted previously in order to enhance it and make it more sustainable. The initiative commenced during the pandemic with a budget of $15 million from the CARES Act. To date, the program has provided financial assistance totaling $178 million to 60,000 approved applicants. The new funding round for the IndyRent program is valued at $6.7 million.
According to Mayor Joe Hogsett, IndyRent was one of the best-funded programs of its kind nationwide during the pandemic, which helped numerous people avoid homelessness. “Reducing the number of evictions benefits our entire community,” the Mayor said. “Today’s announcement charts a path for IndyRent to become a permanent resource.”
The program aims to prevent evictions and is based on court proceedings. To qualify, applicants must earn no more than 80% of the median income in the area. The newly developed application process will be streamlined, making it shorter and more user-friendly. It should be noted that all renters must submit a new application, even if they have received rental assistance before. In this new round, renters can receive up to six months of financial support but not exceeding 12 months in total, dating back to April 2021.
More than 4000 people who wish to apply for the program will receive an email alert when it reopens. Six community organizations will collaborate with the city to relaunch the program: John Boner Neighborhood Centers, Indianapolis Urban League, Edna Martin Christian Center, Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE), Hawthorne Community Center, and Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, Inc.
James Taylor, CEO of John Boner Neighborhood Centers, praised IndyRent’s critical role in supporting vulnerable residents. Stable housing is the foundation of successful communities, and IndyRent has provided essential support to our most vulnerable residents,” he said.
The official website for the IndyRent program, IndyRent.org, will provide more information when the application process reopens on April 27.
