INDIANAPOLIS – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) announced that $950,000 was awarded to four Indiana non-profit organizations to administer the Indiana Housing First Program. The organizations will provide tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services to individuals and households with a serious mental illness or a chronic chemical addiction who are also facing a housing crisis.
“Affordable housing is vital to ensure Hoosiers can live, work and play right here in Indiana,” Crouch said. “The grantees will only add value to our network of housing partners to continue providing housing and services to Hoosiers recovering from addiction and mental illness.”
The Indiana Housing First Program was established in 2017 to increase housing stability for individuals and households with a serious and persistent mental illness, a chronic chemical addiction, or a serious and persistent mental illness with co-occurring chronic chemical addiction, who are also facing a housing crisis. The program can also help individuals who are exiting a residential treatment program or who could exit a residential treatment program with access to affordable housing and supportive services.
Situations that constitute a housing crisis may include living on the street or in a place not meant for human habitation, residing in temporary housing such as an emergency shelter or transitional housing, staying temporarily with family or friends, facing imminent court-ordered eviction, or exiting an institutional setting.
Indiana Housing First Program funds were awarded to these four organizations:
- Housing Opportunities is awarded $300,000
- HVAF of Indiana is awarded $300,000
- LTHC Homeless Services is awarded $190,000
- YWCA of Northeast Indiana is awarded $160,000
The Indiana Housing First Program uses a housing-first model to quickly connect participants to permanent housing without preconditions or barriers to entry such as sobriety or participation in supportive services. Program participants must have a lease for a rental unit in their community and are required to pay a percentage of their monthly income towards the rent. The Program employs an evidence-based case management approach designed to build long-lasting support and increase the impact of assistance during the time of transition. The Program has helped nearly 400 households obtain permanent housing throughout Indiana.
Applications to administer the Indiana Housing First Program are accepted on an annual basis through a Request for Qualifications.
For more information on the Indiana Housing First Program, visit https://www.in.gov/ihcda/program-partners/housing-first-program/.
