(INDIANAPOLIS) — Governor Eric Holcomb announced he is extending his executive order to protect tenants from eviction due to COVID-19 through July.
Gov. Holcomb said his legal team will be working to create the documents to extend the moratorium on evictions of renters. He added that no decision has been made on extending the moratorium on utility shutoffs due to nonpayment.
Holcomb’s decision came as Indiana announced a program to help households unable to pay rent due to a COVID-19-related job loss or income reduction.
The Indiana COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program will provide assistance of up to $500 a month for four months and require the landlord’s agreement to participate. The state’s program is operating with $25 million from the federal CARES Act.
Renters in 91 counties will be eligible for up to $500 in assistance for four months, totaling a maximum of $2,000 per household. The average median rent for Hoosier renters is $825, he said.
The governor says about 12,000 Indiana households could be helped.
The assistance can be used for past-due rent from April 1 or later, or for ongoing rent payments.
Jacob Sipe, director of the Housing and Community Development Authority, announced says the $500 a month is not designed to cover renters’ full payments due.
Landlords who agree to participate will not evict for nonpayment until renters are more than 45 days delinquent on rent.
Here are eligibility requirements for the state program:
- Experienced a loss of income from involuntary job layoff, reduced work hours or reduced pay due to the public health emergency.
- Current household income, including unemployment, must be less than household income on March 6.
- Household must not have already received emergency rental assistance as part of the COVID-19 response.
- Must not already receive rental assistance, such as through Section 8 vouchers or USDA assistance.
- Payments will be made directly to landlords.
Renters can apply at indianahousingnow.org beginning July 13. The online application will also be available in Spanish. The website also has other resources for renters.
