INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana has some of the highest eviction rates in the country, but Judge Kimberly Bacon says the court program she oversees in Lawrence Township is helping turn those numbers around.
“We look at ways to assist people to avoid evictions,” Bacon said.
Eviction judgements affect a tenant’s credit history and can follow them for years, affecting their ability to rent again, obtain financing or someday purchase a home.
The eviction diversion program began as a pilot program in 2020 with funds from the American Recovery Act to keep people in their homes during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. Two years later, the program has been granted new funding and is about to begin its third year.
Here’s how it works: Tenants and landlords both appear and meet with a facilitator to negotiate a move-out date or perhaps a payment arrangement for the tenant to stay.
“If tenants are coming to court and landlords are coming to court, they have the opportunity to have conversations that they might not otherwise get to have,” Bacon said. “It allows parties to make a plan without being thrust into the trauma of figuring out what to do next.”
Indiana Legal Services representatives are also on hand to advise tenants of their legal rights. Other advocates are there to help tenants find additional financial assistance or housing needs.
“Information is power,” Bacon said. “And so most people don't know all of their rights or what is available."
Court data shows since the eviction diversion program went into effect, nearly 90% of filed eviction cases were resolved without a judgement against the tenant.
Bacon said the program isn’t just successful for tenants — it’s also helpful for landlords.
“While they understand that the process may take a little more time ... they ultimately are receiving better outcomes because they’re able to keep a tenant housed that they’re familiar with, rather than having to start the process all over again and preparing a property or taking applications to find a new tenant,” Bacon said. “It’s a success for everyone.”
Bacon said six more township courts will begin an eviction diversion program starting next month.
Help for renters
Whether you're facing eviction or issues with a landlord, housing problems can be devastating for families. Renters do have rights, but many families don't know where to start in fighting for them. Thankfully, help is available.
Here in Indianapolis, the city has several resources available to help renters stay in their homes. That includes the Tenant Legal Assistance Project, which provides free legal assistance to renters.
Indiana Legal Services also has a wealth of resources and programs to help Hoosiers everywhere. They even have a handbook to help renters understand their rights and responsibilities.
If you have faced eviction in the past, it can make renting difficult. The Indiana Bar Foundation created Indiana Legal Help, which offers forms to get past eviction records sealed to help you find housing moving forward.
Finally, if you believe you are facing housing discrimination, the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana specializes in making sure everyone has equal access to housing.