Area Five boosts affordable rental housing in N. Central Indiana

In this five county area well north of Indianapolis, one organization goes above and beyond the normal rental assistance programs in Indiana. Area Five actually provides affordable rental housing to area tenants.

Area Five Agency on Aging and Community Services is a leading proponent of affordable housing throughout a five county section of North Central Indiana. Area Five provides affordable housing units in Cass, Howard, Miami, Tipton and Wabash counties. It is the primary provider of affordable housing units in the area.

The agency focuses on elderly adults who cannot afford a decent place to live. Those who are disabled are also heavily supported. Where Area Five stands out is that they also provide aid to lower income households that have experienced financial hardship or are otherwise economically disadvantaged.

Affordable rental properties range from apartments that are administered by the charity to single family homes that are scattered throughout the five county area. Each property is designed for a specific family size, allowing for some flexibility for where you may call home depending on the number of family members and any other needs that are needed within the home.

In addition to the reduced rent housing, Area Five also helps with utility bills. The hope is that they can keep your monthly bills low enough so that you can afford all of your household needs and put some money away towards financial independence.

As the community action program in this part of Indiana, Area Five is responsible for policies designed to strengthen the community. That includes rehabilitating and renovating older properties to bring them up to code, and then utilizing them as rental properties at reduced rates for the agency’s clients. This gives you the opportunity to rent a safe and clean home at at affordable rate.

In order to be considered for one of the affordable rental housing units, you will need to apply for consideration through your local Area Five office. Contact the office closest to you.

  • Cass County: Call 574-722-4451 for the Logansport office.
  • Howard County: Call 765-454-5562 for the Kokomo office.
  • Miami County: Call 765-472-0713 for the Peru office.
  • Tipton County: Call 765-675-4746 for the Tipton County Human Resource Center in Tipton.
  • Wabash County: Call 260-563-6860 for the Wabash office.

Beyond housing assistance, Area Five works to promote homeownership and entrepreneurship. What this means is that the agency can help provide loans for applicants who demonstrate that they can help to improve the community.

If you would like to work towards building a small business as a way of becoming financially independent, Area Five could contribute a business loan of up to $15,000. The rate is currently just 6% APR, although rates may change.

Loan applications are accepted through the Logansport office. Call 574-722-4451 for more information on obtaining a loan.

Beyond reduced rent housing and loans, Area Five provides case management for those applicants that need some direction on becoming self-sufficient. The agency can provide referrals for emergency housing needs, including eviction prevention and back rent assistance.