INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis has a new rapid rehousing initiative to help with homelessness.
Mayor Joe Hogsett joined Chelsea Haring-Cozzi, Executive Director of CHIP, and Janine Betsey, President and CEO of Merchants Affordable Housing Corp., to announce how $7 million in CARES Act funding will be used toward rapid re-housing.
“Today’s announcement of $7.1 million in CARES Act funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is a significant boost to our existing COVID-19 Relief programming and numerous efforts concerned with homelessness,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “This is a strong step toward securing housing for our city’s most vulnerable neighbors. I’m thankful to CHIP and Merchants Affordable Housing Corp. for their partnership during this crucial time.”
With the pandemic creating challenges to help vulnerable populations, rapid re-housing will serve as a central, long-term solution to keep people healthy and safe by providing rental assistance and services.
Rapid re-housing provides up to 12 months of rental assistance and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Goals of the program include:
- Helping people obtain housing quickly
- Increase self-sufficiency
- Stay housed long-term
The program is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are tailored to the needs of the person.
Rental assistance will make up 70 percent of the program with supportive services and administrative costs making up the rest.
