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      • Sept 2017 2017-09-08 043FIND IT
        • What Is Affordable Housing?
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      • dad – Photo by Chris BensonRENT IT
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      • Seven Accessibility Requirements Under the Fair Housing Act
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      • What Are Tenant Rights in Indiana?
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Housing Affordability
Access to Housing
Your Rental Rights
Finding a Place to Live
Where Can I Find More Housing Help?
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Housing Affordability

What exactly is “affordable” housing?
“Affordable” rents represent the generally accepted standard of spending not more than 30 percent of gross income on rent plus utilities. There are a variety of affordable housing programs to help meet households’ needs.

What does “low-income” mean?

  • Low Income: Households Earning Below 80 Percent of Area Median Income (AMI).
  • Very Low Income: Households Earning Below 50% of AMI. To be eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher, applicants must earn no more than 50% AMI.
  • Extremely Low Income: households earning below 30 percent of AMI.

Some tips on renting with a low income.

What is Prosperity Indiana?
Housing4Hoosiers is a program of Prosperity Indiana, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit and statewide membership organization for the individuals and organizations strengthening Hoosier communities. Prosperity Indiana seeks ways to fund members and their work, build and retain relationships, and address local to national issues impacting the capacity of members and their potential to deliver services and lead change in their communities.


Access to Housing

What is housing discrimination?
In the United States, the Fair Housing Act makes it illegal for landlords to refuse to rent a dwelling to any person because of their race, color, disability, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.

What steps are landlords required to take to make an apartment accessible to people with disabilities?
Landlords are required to provide reasonable accommodations to tenants with disabilities. These include, but are not limited to, things like grab bars in a bathroom, entrance ramps, reserved parking, or allowing assistance animals.


Your Rental Rights

What can I do if my landlord refuses to fix a problem in my apartment?
You must give the landlord notice of the problem (best to do this in writing) and a reasonable time to fix it. Put the date on the notice, and keep a copy for yourself. You must give the landlord access to the unit to make repairs.

However, Indiana does not have a law that lets tenants withhold rent or make repairs and deduct it from the rent. Take caution, since if you do not pay rent, you could be evicted. If the landlord does not fix the problem in a reasonable time, the law says you can sue. It’s always a good idea to speak with a tenant’s rights attorney to evaluate your options.

Are there lawyers who can help people with low incomes?
There are several options to help renters with low incomes. Please see our Legal Resources list on the Help with Housing Needs page.

How can I be sure that I receive my entire security deposit when moving out?
Landlords are only allowed to keep your security deposit to cover damages from unpaid rent, unpaid utility charges, or damages beyond normal wear and tear. In order to make sure you receive your security deposit in full when moving out, be sure to pay all bills on time, treat your rental property with care and respect, and leave a forwarding address with the landlord.


Finding a Place to Live

Where can I get more information on what I should know as a renter?
Don’t forget to download the Renting In Indiana handbook, a great reference with lots of valuable information for both tenants and landlords.


Where Can I Find More Housing Help?

Need additional resources? The H4H Links & Resources page has additional information to guide you on resources throughout the community, whether you are seeking assistance with groceries, utility bills, furniture options, subsidized housing, emergency shelter, accessibility for people with disabilities, or a lawyer.


Have Another Question?
  • Check out the search bar for the Housing4Hoosiers website at the bottom of the page.
  • Or, feel free to contact us with your question.

 

Photo credit: Laurent Peignault/Unsplash 

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Housing4Hoosiers is a program of Prosperity Indiana.
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Indianapolis, IN, 46204
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