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Rental assistance in Allen County Indiana

Every town in Allen County Indiana offers general relief/rental assistance. In addition to this local government program, the region is served by numerous non-profit organizations and charities that help people who are facing a hardship. Find details below on the various eviction prevention and emergency rental assistance programs. There are several organizations in Fort Wayne and Allen County Indiana.

Housing and rental services provided may vary significantly by agency and town in Allen County, but in general the organizations will offer assessment, case management, referrals and limited amounts of financial assistance for paying rent. Each location will have its own application process and conditions in place that need to be met by applicants.

Rent assistance from township trustees. State law in Indiana requires that each and every city and town provide general assistance for residents to help people in an emergency situation or if they are facing some type of hardship. The phone numbers for the Allen County towns and cities to call for help are below. The exact amount and type of rental and housing services will vary by town, but in general they can include money for security deposits, vouchers for hotels or motels, shelter, money for back rent, and other expenses such as electric bills and medical care.

Aboite Township Trustee, 11321 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46814, phone (260) 432-0970

Scipio Township Trustee, PO Box 163, Harlan, IN 46743, dial (260) 657-8001 Main

Springfield Township Trustee, 11021 Roberts Road, Harlan, Indiana 46743, phone (260) 657-3422

Madison Township Trustee, 11417 Edgewater Avenue, Hoagland, Indiana 46745, (260) 639-6052

Eel River Township Trustee, 3925 McComb Road, Huntertown, IN 46748, phone number (260) 637-0238 Main

Perry Township Trustee, PO Box 643, Huntertown, IN 46748, call (260) 449-3748

Cedar Creek Township Trustee, 10523 Hosler Road, Leo, Indiana 46765-0433, Main number (260) 627-5695

Monroe Township Trustee, 211 West Forest Street, Monroeville, IN 46773, phone (260) 623-3717

Adams Township Trustee, 120 Lincoln Highway West, New Haven, IN 46774, phone number (260) 493-2590

Jefferson Township Trustee, 1702 S Webster Road, New Haven, Indiana 46774, phone (260) 749-1360

Spencer Township Trustee, 6576 CR 64, Spencerville, IN, dial (260) 238-4428

Jackson Township Trustee, 618 Brobst Road, Woodburn, Indiana 46797, call (260) 632-7701

Maumee Township Trustee, 5311 State Road 101, Woodburn, IN 46797, call (260) 632-9977

Milan Township Trustee, 18208 Doty Road, Woodburn, Indiana 46797, call (260) 632-4511

Grants in Other Towns
Other towns also offer grants for paying rent as part of General Relief. Contact your local office to apply for help, or to learn about low income housing and other resources.
Allen County Catholic Charities, which is located at 315 East Washington Boulevard in Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802 and can be reached at (260) 422-5625 offers the low income and less fortunate housing assessment, referrals and also limited amounts of rental assistance.

Community Action of Northeast Indiana also supports Allen County and Fort Wayne Indiana families. Address is 227 East Washington Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. In order to receive any help from this organization, applicants must have applied for financial assistance from their local town trustee within the last 30 days as referenced above. In either case, some Allen County residents will be issued a loan as a form of rental assistance. An extensive evaluation process is in place for potential clients.

Fort Wayne Indiana Housing Authority’s goal is to offer the low income and working poor good quality, yet highly affordable housing and superior services. This is available to eligible low to moderate income members of the Fort Wayne community. Case managers at the housing authority also strive to maintain an atmosphere which encourages self-sufficiency of the resident. Phone number is (260) 449-7000.

Vincent House can help families successfully existing transitional housing or the currently homeless. Their may be funds for paying security deposits, moving expenses, first months rent, or energy bills. Address is 2827 Holton Avenue – Fort Wayne, Indiana 46806, (260) 456-4172

Fort Wayne Township Trustee

Providing financial aid for paying heating bills or summer cooling costs, food, shelter and voucher assistance

What is a township trustee?
Trustees are elected people in each township who help the poor obtain certain basic necessities. The trustee may help with shelter or housing costs, utility bills, food, clothing, medical needs, burial expenses, or school supplies. Trustee assistance is considered “last resort” assistance. You first must try to get help with other agencies and/or family members.

Does the trustee give me cash?
No. The trustee does not give you cash. Instead, the trustee may issue a “voucher” (like a coupon) to a landlord for rent, or help you find a place to stay. Some trustee offices have a supply of food to give to people in need, while others may give vouchers to a grocery store.

Can anyone get trustee assistance?
To get trustee assistance, you need to have low income and you must truly need the items you are asking for. Each trustee may have a different standard of eligibility. Depending upon the trustee’s standards, you may receive assistance even if you already receive TANF. If you receive food stamps, you may receive food assistance from the trustee if your food stamps are lost, stolen, destroyed, or under other special circumstances.

Where do I apply?
Apply at your local township trustee’s office. Check the phone book for the number and address of the trustee. If you cannot find it, check with your local county clerk’s office to find your township’s trustee. You should apply for assistance in the township where you live.

How do I apply?
You will have to fill out an application for assistance at the trustee’s office. The trustee must make a decision on all applications within 72 hours, not counting weekends and holidays. In an emergency, the trustee may be able to help you the same day.

You should bring with you proof of your income and finances. This can be pay stubs, or TANF records. Bring proof of your household situation (social security numbers, birth certificates of household members), receipts for expenses during the last month, and information and any documents regarding the situation you need help with, like a rent-due notice. If you have any referrals from other agencies, bring those as well.

Can the trustee turn me down?
Yes, the trustee can turn you down. However, the trustee must follow its own standards when deciding whether to help you or not. Be sure to ask the trustee to give you a written “denial slip” if the trustee refuses to help you. The slip must tell you the reason for the denial, and must tell you about your right to appeal the denial.

What should I do if I am denied?
If you are denied help from the trustee, you can appeal. You have 15 days from the date of the denial to file an appeal of the decision. Be sure to appeal if you have any question about the denial. If you don’t appeal, the denial is final. You should fill out the appeal request that is on the back of the denial slip. Make a copy of the denial slip and the appeal request for yourself, and give the original to the Board of the County Commissioners of your county. (Some counties have an office set up to receive these appeals. Check your denial slip carefully to see where you should take your appeal). You can generally mail your appeal or take it to the office or Board in person. A hearing will be scheduled within 10 days of the Commissioner’s receiving the appeal request.

What happens at the hearing?
At the appeal hearing, the Commissioners (or a hearing officer) decide whether you should have been helped, either under the trustee’s own guidelines or under the Indiana poor relief law. You can have an attorney represent you at the hearing or you can go by yourself. It is helpful to have an attorney. Contact a private attorney or your local legal services program if you
are appealing a denial of assistance from the trustee as soon as you file for the appeal hearing.

 
Can the trustee make me work?
If you get trustee assistance, you might have to work for the township’s workfare program. However, you will not have to work for the workfare program if:

1. You are not physically able to work.
2. You are a minor or you are at least 65 years old.
3. You are needed to care for someone else because of that person’s age or physical condition.
4. You are employed full time.
5. You are attending a training program through the township trustee.
6. The trustee determines there is no work available.

Can the trustee make me apply for other programs, such as food stamps or TANF?
Yes. If the trustee thinks you could be getting help under another program, the trustee can tell you to apply for help under that program. If you do not apply, the trustee can refuse to help you.

Lutheran Social Services of Allen County may have emergency financial assistance, loans, or rent help as a last resort. This is only offered when public funds or government grants for meeting those rental needs are not available. Main phone – (260) 426-3347.

Indiana Legal Services – Provides free representation and legal guidance to low income residents and seniors. Get help from attorneys with applying for benefits such as section 8, housing issues, help for eviction, and other civil issues. Call (260) 424-9155.

Fort Wayne Salvation Army Rent Assistance Program is offered to people with an eviction and who have no other resources available. Emergency assistance is offered; appointments are on Mondays and are limited. Call (260) 744-2311 for specific details on this program.

Rainbow Community Organization Inc. – Offers opportunities for quality affordable housing.

Fort Wayne Division of Community Development administers eviction prevention and emergency rental assistance from programs such as homeless prevention and rapid rehousing. Call (260) 427-1111.