Vanderburgh County assistance programs

Get rent help

People who are facing eviction or those who may be currently homeless may be able to receive assistance in paying rent or other housing expenses from nearly $3 million distributed through federal stimulus bill. Money can even be used to help pay for heating and utility bills. Residents of Vanderburgh County can apply for help at the contact information below.

The grants and money can also go to those who have homes now or are living in apartments but are in danger of losing them or being thrown out of their housing due to lack of payment. The responsibility of managing and distributing the money will go to Aurora, which is a charity organization that tries to end homelessness in all parts of Vanderburgh County and Evansville.

There are criteria, and the money will not be distributed to anyone. Those who want the benefits of the  money and housing assistance program must first learn if they may receive it. For example, families of four need to have an income below $30,450, although exceptions are allowed, and if you are considered low to moderate income it is always worthwhile to apply.

The assistance provided is meant to be for the short term, and it does end. It is meant to provide people time to get back on their feet. Unfortunately it will not be used to help someone make mortgage payments or prevent a foreclosure.

Once someone is deemed eligible for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), an applicant will be assigned to a caseworker. The caseworker will then work with the client to determine a client’s needs and how they can help. Some of what is offered may include short-term rental assistance, utility deposits and/or utility payments, security deposits, funds to provide moving cost assistance and hotel vouchers for extended stays. Any HPRP payments paid out will not go directly to households, but instead the funds will be given to third parties such as utility companies and landlords.

For more information, write to hprp@auroraevansville.org, or contact the organization at (812) 401-6903.

 

 

 

Free or low cost health care

Contact ECHO Community Health Care, Inc. (phone (812) 436-0214) provide patients with affordable, accessible, high quality and appropriate primary health care to all individuals, including the uninsured, under insured and homeless. This can help people save on and reduce hospital and medical bills. The agency is located in Evansville but serves the entire area. Counselor can also help people negotiate hospital bills.

Also call the Visiting Nurse Association (phone (812) 425-3561) provides qualified people with compassionate and professional in your home and local community. The VNA agency brings health care care and support to people of all ages who are confronting disease, medical issues, disability, or death.

 

 

Free Legal programs

Legal Aid Society provide free, quality legal services and advice to eligible residents of Vanderburgh County Indiana. (812) 435-5173.

Grants and information for paying bills in Vanderburgh Indiana

If you are struggling and need help or ways to get back on your feet, call the Evansville based Outreach Ministries. The goal of the organization is to prevent hunger, provide rent help to prevent homelessness and to help strengthen the family by providing emergency financial assistance (possibly grants) for low-income individuals who are facing a crisis or financial crisis, and to educate and advocate for social change for long term success. (812) 464-1025.

The Salvation Army (phone (812) 425-1375) runs an Emergency Family Shelter Program, Soup Kitchen Program, and provides Social Services & Emergency Shelter Program.

Possibly the number one agency to call is the Community Action Program of Evansville & Vanderburgh Co., Inc. (CAPE). They offer dozens of services and assistance programs, including.

• Housing aid - Either Rental and Mortgage assistance may be available to qualified households according to funding availability. They may also be able to provide foreclosure counseling. Click here for more on Indiana foreclosure programs.
• Energy and heating bill aid - This program may be able to assist qualified low to moderate income households with the payment of their electric, heating, gas and bulk fuel costs and energy bills. The winter heating component of the assistance program normally runs from October through March of each year. In addition, the summer cooling component of the program may be available for those requiring assistance due to medical reasons during times of extreme heat in Indiana.
• Dental assistance - They can refer you to agencies that provide free dental care.
• Food and clothing - They run a food bank and clothing facility.

Call the Community Action Program of Evansville & Vanderburgh Co., Inc. (CAPE) at (812) 425-4241.