LA PORTE COUNTY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

La Porte County has created a program utilizing American Relief Plan funds to assist residents who are behind on their rent and facing eviction because of economic conditions. The fund will be administered by the County with the assistance of Township Trustees, who have the mechanism to qualify County residents for the funds.

Purpose: The purpose of this program is to reimburse Landlord’s for months of unpaid rent and to ensure that Tenants will not be displaced.

Amount of Funds Available: Depending on the circumstances up to $7,500.00 will be available.

How the Program Works: This is a voluntary program and requires participation of both the Landlord and Tenant.

Step I: The Landlord is open to resolution of the arrearage and continued relationship with the Tenant.

Step II: The Tenant goes through the qualification process through the Trustee’s office. This will require the Tenant to fill out an application and provide specific information to the Trustee. It will also require the Landlord to provide a statement of the arrearage. The application paperwork can be picked up at the Center Township, Michigan Township, or Coolspring Township Trustee Offices.

Step III: Completed applications and required documentation will be taken and processed at the following Trustee Offices:

Center Township Trustee
1700 Lincolnway Place, Ste. 6
LaPorte, IN 46350
(219) 362-2736
Tuesdays from 9am to 5pm by appointment

Coolspring Township Trustee
1411 S. Woodland Ave. Ste. A
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 872-2181
Thursdays from 9am to 5pm by appointment

Michigan Township – La Porte County
2601 E. Michigan Blvd
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 874-5201
By appointment only

Step IV: If the necessary information is provided, the applicant (Tenant) for the rental assistance funds will receiving a determination within 72 hours.

Step V: After the Tenant receives the determination. Tenant and Landlord will set an appointment through the State’s rental assistance facilitation program. This program has zero cost. The parties will meet with a state facilitator, who is either a retired judge or lawyer, by phone or video conference. This will allow the parties to reach an agreement regarding any arrearage that is owed and an understanding regarding the future landlord/tenant relationship.

Step VI: If an agreement is reached between the parties. The Tenant will bring the agreement to the Trustee’s office and the Landlord will receive the funds agreed on during the facilitation. The funds will be available within 15 days.

If the parties did not reach an agreement with the state facilitator, they will attend their first scheduled eviction hearing with the judge.