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Financial Help for Rent in Allen County Indiana
Fort Wayne and Allen County residents facing a housing crisis and that need help with their rent have access to a layered network of help - starting with Indiana's unique township trustee system, which legally requires every township to provide emergency assistance including for rent as well as other housing costs. Beyond the township offices, several nonprofits, charities, and government programs serve the area with rental funds, transitional shelter, legal aid, and Section 8 housing vouchers.
Emergency housing assistance is part of Indiana’s Township Trustee system, which provides a legal safety net for residents facing "poor relief" needs. This government-mandated aid, including for rent, is supplemented by a robust network of faith-based organizations and the regional community action agency, Brightpoint. These groups work in coordination with the United Way 2-1-1 system to prevent homelessness and provide rapid re-housing for families in crisis. Note: Some programs require you to apply for other benefits first or contact the United Way 211. For example, certain state programs may require you to apply for federal assistance before they'll consider your case.
Township Trustee Emergency Assistance (By Area)
Indiana state law requires every township in Allen County to provide General Relief assistance to residents in crisis, which can include help with rent, deposits, motel vouchers, and utility bills. Residents must apply for township trustee assistance before most other programs (including Brightpoint and the Salvation Army) will consider helping. Each township sets its own eligibility rules and benefit amounts. Contact the trustee for the township where you live.
- Aboite Township - 11321 Aboite Center Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46814. Phone: (260) 432-0970
- Adams Township - 120 Lincoln Highway West, New Haven, IN 46774. Phone: (260) 493-2590
- Cedar Creek Township - 10523 Hosler Rd., Leo, IN 46765. Phone: (260) 627-5695
- Eel River Township - 3925 McComb Rd., Huntertown, IN 46748. Phone: (260) 637-0238
- Jackson Township - 618 Brobst Rd., Woodburn, IN 46797. Phone: (260) 632-7701
- Jefferson Township - 1702 S. Webster Rd., New Haven, IN 46774. Phone: (260) 749-1360
- Madison Township - 11417 Edgewater Ave., Hoagland, IN 46745. Phone: (260) 639-6052
- Maumee Township - 5311 State Rd. 101, Woodburn, IN 46797. Phone: (260) 632-9977
- Milan Township - 18208 Doty Rd., Woodburn, IN 46797. Phone: (260) 632-4511
- Monroe Township - 211 West Forest St., Monroeville, IN 46773. Phone: (260) 623-3717
- Perry Township - PO Box 643, Huntertown, IN 46748. Phone: (260) 449-3748
- Scipio Township - PO Box 163, Harlan, IN 46743. Phone: (260) 657-8001
- Spencer Township - 6576 CR 64, Spencerville, IN. Phone: (260) 238-4428
- Springfield Township - 11021 Roberts Rd., Harlan, IN 46743. Phone: (260) 657-3422
Countywide and City of Fort Wayne Programs
These organizations provide grants and specialized housing support that spans the entire county.
- Brightpoint (Community Action): Brightpoint administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) and emergency ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) funds for rapid re-housing and eviction prevention. They also operate Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). A federally funded program helping veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of eviction. Provides grants for back rent, deposits, utility bills, and case management. Address: 227 E. Washington Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Phone: 260-423-3546.
- Fort Wayne Housing Authority (FWHA): FWHA manages public housing units and the federal Housing Choice Voucher program for city residents. Address: 7315 Hanna Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46816. Phone: 260-267-6300. Website: https://fwha.org/. There are also some options that may offer security deposit help for section 8 apartments.
Non-Profit and Faith-Based Rent Assistance
These charities provide private funds for rent arrears, security deposits, and temporary shelter.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society - District Council of Fort Wayne: This network of Catholic church conferences provides emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities through home visits and case management. Address: 1602 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Phone: 260-456-3561
- Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County: A faith-based coalition providing a variety of "social safety net" programs, including a food pantry network and emergency financial help (with money possibly to pay rent) via their "A Baby's Closet" and other outreach programs. Address: 602 East Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Phone: 260-422-3528
- Salvation Army of Fort Wayne: Offers social services including emergency rent/mortgage help when funds are available, typically for households with an eviction notice. Address: 2901 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46805. Phone: 260-744-3111. Important: the Salvation Army requires a copy of the action letter from your township trustee before they will assist with rent or utilities. Appointments are typically available early in the week.
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Provides the "Resource and Referral" program, which offers relocation assistance and limited emergency financial aid to help families avoid homelessness. Address: 915 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Phone: 260-422-5625. Note: applicants for rental assistance must have applied for help from their local township trustee within the last 30 days before Catholic Charities will process a request. Read more about Catholic Charities assistance programs Fort Wayne.
- Lutheran Social Services of Indiana (LSSI): LSSI offers a range of services including "LSSI Works" for stability and "Children’s Village" housing-related support. They focus on long-term family self-sufficiency. Address: 333 East Lewis Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Phone: 260-426-3347
- Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network: Fort Wayne's only emergency shelter serving homeless families. Provides shelter, meals, case management, and housing stability support for families. Also works with tenants facing eviction to try to prevent homelessness before it begins. Referrals accepted from partner agencies or by self-referral. Address: 2925 E. State Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805. Phone: (260) 458-9772. Website: https://www.ihnfamily.org/.
Legal Aid and Eviction Prevention
- Indiana Legal Services (Fort Wayne Office): Provides free legal counsel for low-income tenants facing eviction, habitability issues, or landlord-tenant disputes. There are also other Allen County IN homeless prevention services. Address: 203 West Wayne Street, Suite 410, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Phone: 260-424-3511
- Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana (VLP): Matches low-income Allen County residents (up to 200% of poverty level) with volunteer private attorneys for eviction, foreclosure, bankruptcy, family law, and more. Also runs free Allen County Eviction Assistance Clinics on the 1st Wednesday (6–8 p.m.) and 3rd Wednesday (1–3 p.m.) of each month at the VLP office. Address: 347 W. Berry St., Suite 101, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Phone: (260) 407-0917. Website: https://www.vlpnei.org/.
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