Help for rent, utility bills coming soon

People struggling with rent and utility bills due to COVID-19 could soon get a new round of help for up to a year.

Indiana anticipates soon getting $448 million from the federal government’s $25 billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

Rent help can be used for both past-due rent and future payments, Jacob Sipe, executive director of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority said Wednesday.

The new round is not yet open, he said. Indiana has submitted its plan to the U.S. Treasury. Once that is approved, applications would likely open within a week, Sipe said.

To qualify, folks can’t be getting assistance from another source. They also must meet three criteria:

■ Qualify for unemployment and have seen incomes cut due to COVID-19

■ Be at risk for homelessness or housing instability

■ Take home pay at or under 80% of the area’s median income

That means $46,250 for a twoperson household, $57,850 for four-people, or $67,100 for a household of six, officials said.

Who should you call? It depends where you live.

Lake County secured $14.5 million and will run its own rental assistance program, partnering with an experienced organization. More details, including who to call, are expected by the end of February. Porter County residents would apply via the state’s program by calling 211 or going to IndianaHousingNow.org.

All Northwest Indiana residents needing mortgage assistance can go to 877gethope.org.

The money will be distributed to states and local governments with more than 200,000 residents, according to the U.S. Treasury’s website. Elsewhere, Elkhart, Marion, St. Joseph, Hamilton counties and Fort Wayne will also run their own programs.