Rental and Mortgage Assistance Resources
Updated November 24, 2020
If you are having trouble paying your rent, mortgage or utilities, you are not alone. There are several options available for getting assistance.
Call 211 to inquire about emergency financial assistance.
We all need a little help sometimes. Reach out to a librarian with any questions or for 1-on-1 assistance navigating any of these resources Call 574-282-4646. Email library@sjcpl.org. Or visit any library location.
The state of Indiana and City of South Bend are distributing federal money to help people who cannot pay their rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic:
Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA)
Rental Assistance Portal - reopens to the public on Monday, October 19.
Qualified applicants can receive up to $500 per month for four months.
To apply online, visit Indianahousingnow.org
- Questions on the initial application can be found here: English | Spanish
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found here: English | Spanish
- Additional information for renters can be found here: English | Spanish
- Additional information for landlords can be found here: English | Spanish
Individuals that are unable to complete the application online should call toll-free 1-844-463-7368.
This phone number is available Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Eastern.
City of South Bend Rental COVID-19 Housing and Utility Support
REAL Services
- Qualified applicants can receive up to three months of rent payments.
- Call 574-284-6020 to apply.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Visit https://www.svdpsb.org/rent-utility-assistance
- Qualified applicants can receive up to three months of rent and/or utility help.
- Call 574-234-6000 Ext. 2 on July 27, Aug. 10 or Aug. 24. Phone requests taken every other Monday.
News
Indiana and South Bend offer federal money for COVID related back rent
IHCDA Mortgage Assistance Fund
Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund (HHF)
Submit an application at www.877gethope.com or call: 1-877-GET-HOPE (1-877-438-4673).
- This is a federally funded program managed by the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network.
- Eligible Indiana homeowners who have fallen behind or are unable to make future payments on their mortgage due to an involuntary loss of employment or reduction in employment income can receive up to $30,000 in mortgage assistance.
- Counselors are also available to provide free foreclosure prevention counseling
IHCDA Coronavirus Eviction and Foreclosure Resource Guide
Review this resource guide for answers to frequently asked questions for those having difficulty paying their rent or mortgage.
- The first and most important step to take is to communicate your situation to your property manager or mortgage lender.
- Although the state of Indiana has halted court proceedings, individuals are still obligated to continue paying your rent or mortgage as you are able to keep your credit in good standing. If you fail to pay your rent or mortgage and do not make other arrangements, eviction/foreclosure proceedings will resume after the governor’s declared pause on evictions and foreclosures has ended.
- Check directly with each of your utility providers to see if they are offering help at this time.
Hoosiers who are unlawfully subjected to eviction and foreclosure proceedings during the ongoing public health emergency should file a complaint with the Office of the Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Eviction Assistance
If you are facing eviction, here a are some tools that can help.
- IndyRenterHelp - This website has a form to determine if you are covered by the Federal Eviction Moratorium and to create the correct letter (or "Declaration") to send to your landlord. It will help you produce the letter you need.
- CDC Declaration Form - This form is the declaration letter provided by the CDC.
- Reach out to Notre Dame's Economic Justic Clinic or Indiana Legal Services, Inc., if you receive an eviction notice for a hearing.
Information about the Eviction Moratorium
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an Order to temporarily halt certain residential evictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) and 42 CFR 70.2. This order is in effect from September 4 to December 31, 2020.
Does the CDC order prevent all evictions?
No, the moratorium only covers claims solely for non-payment of financial obligations (rent, fees, etc.). If there are other breaches of the rental agreement (i.e. engaging in criminal activity while on premises, threatening health or safety of other residents, damaging or posing an immediate and significant risk of damage to property, other violations of the rental contract, etc.), an eviction may still take place. See this article for more information.
Information about Foreclosure
Can I be evicted from my rental or lose my home through foreclosure even though there is a public health emergency?
Yes. However, there are some protections that remain in place. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) each extended their eviction moratoriums to December 31, 2020. These moratoriums cover FHA-insured single-family mortgages, Freddie Mae and Freddie Mac backed single-family mortgages, USDA single-family housing direct and guaranteed loans, and VA-guaranteed loans, respectively.
CALL 211
If you are looking for help to meet immediate needs, call 211 or visit https://in211.communityos.org/
211 call specialists are ready to provide direct aid to individuals and families in need (food, shelter, utilities, mental health, and health care resources).
Indiana Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents throughout the state of Indiana.
They are continuing to do intake and accept new cases.
University of Notre Dame's Economic Justice Clinic
The Economic Justice Clinic takes case through referrals or through Notre Dame Law Center's intake form.
IN Free Legal Answers
IN Free Legal Answers is a website operated by the American Bar Association.
- You can post a question about your non-criminal legal issue and have it answered for free by an attorney. This service only answers questions about civil legal questions.
- In order to qualify, you must be unable to afford to hire an attorney.
- To see if you are eligible and to ask a question now, visit IN Free Legal Answers.
South Bend Tenant Association
The South Bend Tenant Association’s primary focus is educating tenants about their rights.
Contact: Rodney Gadson
rodney.gadson@sbtenantassociation.com
