Eligibility | FAQ

Can I apply for this assistance program?

What assistance is available?

Assistance from this program is available to Marion County renters only. If you live outside of Marion County, please visit indianahousingnow.org to apply for rental assistance.

If you have a mortgage, please visit 877gethope.org/faq or please call 1-877-438-4673 to apply for assistance in paying your mortgage.

Who is eligible for this assistance program?

Households at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) that have experienced a reduction in earned income and are at risk of housing instability are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to households below 50% AMI or residents who have been unemployed for 90 days or longer at the time of application. The relevant AMI values for this program can be found in the table below (tap to enlarge).

Can I apply if I already participated in the program in 2020?

Yes. 2020 recipients are eligible to apply as long as it does not duplicate any month already paid during last year’s assistance program.

How can I apply?

Go to indyrent.org and use the Tenants link to start the 2021 application process.

What documents do I need to provide?

Having a benefit letter from an approved program (TANF, SSI, EAP, SNAP, or HIP) from anytime since January 1, 2020, or a copy of your 2020 IRS Form 1040 or other proof of income will help speed up the review of your application.

How many months of assistance are available?

Up to three (3) months (back or forward), including late fees accrued after April 1, 2020. The maximum monthly amount of assistance cannot exceed Fair Market Rent (FMR). The relevant FMR values for this program can be found in the table below (tap to enlarge).

If I receive federal rental assistance through Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) or Project-Based Section 8 Rental Assistance (PBRA), can I still apply for this assistance program?

Yes. Recipients of the renters portion of HCV and PBRA are eligible for this program.

How will I know if I am approved?

You will be contacted at the email address and / or phone number you provided during the application process. You can also check the status of your application using your unique application ID at indyrent.org/status-check.

What happens if my landlord does not respond?

Three attempts will be made to contact your landlord (via phone, email, and / or USPS mail) based on available information. If your landlord does not respond, tenants will be contacted to provide additional information necessary to complete the application process. This information includes proof of identification, a copy of the executed lease, proof of residency, and prior payment history. In some cases payments can be made directly to the tenant.