Below is an email sent out by the Indiana Housing & Community Development Program about how to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

The state's Rental Assistance Portal is now accepting applications for the the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) program.

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

You may be eligible for the program if you meet the following criteria:

Qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19

Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability

Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median

If you meet the eligibility requirements listed above you are encouraged to apply for the program. However, this is not intended to be a complete list of eligibility requirements.

Important Note: Individuals living Elkhart County, Hamilton County, Lake County, Marion County (Indianapolis), the City of Fort Wayne, and St. Joseph County are not eligible to apply for the IERA program. Households living in these areas must apply with their local municipality. Contact information for their programs are listed below:

Elkhart County - elkhartcounty.com/rentalassistance

Hamilton County - hctaindiana.com

Lake County - lakecountyin.care

Marion County (Indianapolis) - indyrent.org

City of Fort Wayne - fwcares.org

St. Joseph County - sjcindiana.com

Access the application here

"Rental Emergency Assistance funding came through in the December 2020 Stimulus Bill and will result in $25 billion being made available to residents who are behind on rent and utilities for Covid-19 related reasons.  The funds are distributed like a block grant, to states, territories and substantial counties and municipalities, as well as specific Native American Housing Authorities.

Irrespective of previous income, if a resident lost their job due to Covid-19 and remained unemployed for 90 days or more, they can seek these funds for up to 12 months of arrearage and potentially, an additional 3 months, if needed.  Grantees are encouraged to focus significant funds on those residents at less than 50% of the Average Median Income (AMI) for the region."

Click here to view the full webpage at National REIA 

Here is spreadsheet with how the money was distributed among States: Emergency-Rental-Assistance-Program-Grantee-List-12-20-Stimulus.xlsx

While the rental assistance portal is not accepting applications at this time, more assistance will become available, keep and eye on their webpage, and subscribe to receive notifications.  https://www.in.gov/ihcda/4073.htm

Nationwide foreclosure moratoriums initially set to expire on March 31, has been further extended until June 30, but President Biden. 

It is unknown at this time whether the eviction moratorium will be extended as well.

"The first action extends a federal moratorium on foreclosures through June 30, barring banks and other lenders from repossessing homes from owners falling behind on loans. The second action extends the enrollment window for a federal mortgage forbearance program, also until June 30, that can lower and delay monthly payments."

Catch the original article here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-extends-covid-moratorium-on-foreclosures-as-homeowners-struggle-with-pandemic-downturn/ar-BB1dJae7

The Indiana House of Representatives voted to overrule Holcomb's veto of  SEA 148. This automatically makes SEA 149 a law. 

This law will prevent local law makers from regulating tenant/landlord relations. 

"Indianapolis will no longer be able to require landlords to provide renters with a list of their rights, prohibit discrimination against applicants for housing-based criminal convictions or hold retaliatory landlords accountable with fines spelled out in an ordinance."

“During one of the most difficult times in our city’s history, local programming has allowed us to communicate with thousands of renters about their rights, help hundreds of tenants navigate the complicated legal system, and provide actionable steps for holding bad actor landlords accountable for taking retaliatory actions against some of our community’s most vulnerable residents," Hogsett said in a statement. "It’s disappointing to have Gov. Holcomb’s veto overridden today, but we are committed to continued conversations with members of the General Assembly and the ongoing funding of the City’s Eviction Avoidance Program and Tenant Legal Assistance Project.”

Catch the full article here: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/17/house-overrides-gov-holcombs-veto-landlord-tenant-bill/6778784002/ 

Pathstone Rental Assistance Dollars Need to Be Used by July 31 Pathstone must use their rental assistance dollars prior to July 31. It originally started as a Covid assistance program, but now can be used for any type of rental assistance.  Carol Jackson from Pathstone is included on this email - feel free to directly email her with questions.  Qualifications · Delaware, Henry, Randolph County Residents · Demonstrable need – Account statement - Past due notice - Eviction notice · Tenants that are at or below 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI)   For more info contact    (765) 286-2162     Or email:  caroljackson@pathstone.org    Courtesy of Kimberly Ferguson, MUNCIE RPA

14 Indiana Counties Still Using Antiquated Voting Software

Contributed by Laura Guy, The Indy Home Buyer and INstateREIA Fundraising Board Member

14 counties in Indiana are still using the incredibly outdated Dominion Voting Software in their elections.  Voting System Information - Indiana .pdf

FOURTEEN COUNTIES. 

Key Highlights

In 2017 Princeton Computer Science Expert outlines how easy it is to use Computer Software (like Dominion) to seriously alter elections.

• TX outlawed the use of Dominion Voting Software after SIX experts determined it to be unsafe 
• Voter ID is required in many other countries, less developed than we are: NORWAY, NORTHERN IRELAND, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, FRANCE, ISRAEL, MEXICO, ICELAND…… 

The Indiana State Legislature is in charge of the voting systems in Indiana.  Please consider reaching out, either by phone or email, to push for getting rid of software based voting systems like Dominion, and requiring Voter ID.  

I have left voicemails and sent emails to Senator Jack Sandlin, and my local rep Justin Moed.  You can find your local representative here:

http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/legislators/search/?txtAddress=626+Stevens+St&txtCity=Indianapolis&txtZip1=46203

Please feel free to copy/paste this email also if you wish: 

It is unsettling to learn that 14 counties in Indiana still use voting software systems such as Dominion.  Experts around the country have produced significant evidence to support their ability to be altered and the state of TX has even outlawed them.  I would like to see Indiana take voting integrity seriously and require Voter ID.  Please respond to let me know what your position is on this and how you plan to ensure election integrity. 

Thank you for your support.

Check out our upcoming Annual Conference. Not only will it be jam packed with educational content, and every single dollar goes into INstateREIA's legislative fund to fight anti-investor legislation. 

Rent Relief Stimulus Update From Indiana Housing Authority Board Meeting

Contributed by Alicia Ortiz

INstateREIA Founding Board Member & Legislation Chair

Indiana is getting 448 million dollars in rental assistance funding  

Each county is getting $25,000.00 up front from the emergency Covid fund to use. Once the $25,000.00 is gone and the county can show proof of spending they will receive another $25,000.00.   

Elkhart County, Fort Wayne, Lake, Marion, and St Joe counties have applied separately for Covid rental assistance money. They will share 80 million. How much they each get will be determined by what was on their applications submitted.  

What I am taking this to mean in that the counties and cities listed above, rental assistance will have to be applied for through that county or city and not through the state. Marion county was the only county I knew of who applied separately and applications were taken through a Marion County program, not through the state. The county of city will be allowed to spend up 10% of the monies they receive on administration expenses.  

The state is expecting to start taking applications Mid to late February. They will keep their websites updated as to where and how the counties and cities listed above can apply.  Rental assistance will expire December 31, 2021.  

Rental assistance will cover up to 12 months back rent and 3 months forward. This includes rents and utilities.  

The Cares Act has helped 4,680 tenants with 48 million dollars in rent paid by Indiana Housing now. The ESG program has paid out 6.1 million dollars and continues to pay monthly. The program had a total of 16 million dollars. 63,000 people were helped paying utilities for a total of 30 million dollars.  

Check out our upcoming Annual Conference. Not only will it be jam packed with educational content, and every single dollar goes into INstateREIA's legislative fund to fight anti-investor legislation.