A new state diversion program will help keep people in their homes.
The Indiana Supreme Court’s Eviction Diversion Program launched Monday, its goal being to foster economic and housing stability for tenants and landlords, and create better outcomes for everybody, including communities. The program was announced last month, following a recommendation from the Indiana Eviction Task Force, according to an Indiana Supreme Court news release.
An interim report released last month by the task force found that more than 36,000 eviction cases had been filed statewide between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30. Johnson County had the 10th highest number of eviction cases filed between those dates, the report said.
The program will require local courts to inform all parties involved in eviction cases about the availability of pre-eviction resources, including rental assistance or an eviction settlement program between tenants and landlords, according to the news release.
Tenants and landlords in need of assistance are encouraged to visit courts.in.gov/housing to learn more about available programs, including covering some or all back rent for eligible tenants, free settlement conferences to discuss specific situations with help from a neutral facilitator and potential resources for legal assistance, the news release said.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority announced Monday it would be accepting applications from renters for the program. To qualify, a renter needs to have a pending eviction filed against them where they are named as a defendant, and must not have applied for or been assisted with any emergency rental assistance programs in Indiana, according to an IHCDA news release.
If both the tenant and landlord elect to participate in the voluntary program, the pending eviction action will be stayed for up to 90 days while the parties pursue assistance or an alternate resolution, the news release said.
Tenants and landlords who want to participate have two options: they can participate through IHCDA or their local emergency rental assistance program, if one is available. All available programs statewide are accessible through IndianaHousingNow.org.
