Terre Haute rental assistance choices are short on cash

Lower income Vigo County households who need help with monthly expenses may need to reconsider their search for emergency cash assistance. Terre Haute rental assistance programs focus less on handouts and more on emergency housing or long-term subsidies.

Emergency Housing

There are a couple of emergency housing options for those who need immediate relief from homelessness or experienced a recent eviction.

Women with or without children as well as married couples may reside at Bethany House. This is a temporary housing shelter they can provide you with transitional housing opportunities that can give you the chance to save money for a permanent rental home. Call 812-232-4978 for information about vacancies and eligibility.

Light House Mission is a men’s shelter, although married couples may also reside here on temporary basis. Call 812-232-7001 to find out more information.

Permanent Rent Subsidies

If you are permanently at risk of homelessness due to chronic income shortages, or if anyone in your household is considered elderly or disabled, then you may qualify for permanent rent subsidies. There are two primary options.

First, you may gain access to reduced rent apartments that are offered by the Terre Haute Housing Authority. These are traditional housing projects that are administered by the Housing Authority.

An alternative may be possible through the special Housing Choice Voucher Program which is offered by the Housing Authority. Through the use of vouchers, eligible tenants may qualify to have a portion of their rent paid by the Housing Authority. The best part is that you can live in a regular rental house or apartment that is not administered by any government agency. In other words you can live in a regular neighborhood. Your share of the rent is typically no more than 30 to 40% of your total monthly income. These programs are typically plagued by lengthy waiting lists. However the waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program at Terre Haute Housing Authority was open to new applicants at press time. For more information you will need to apply in person at 2001 N. 19th St. in Terre Haute.

You the opportunity to ask questions about programs prior to your visit. Call 812-232-1381 to speak with a representative at the Housing Authority directly.

Low Cost Rental Loans

If you are currently employed in believe that you earn too much to qualify for rental assistance through one of the above programs, then a rental loan is a potential option. Of course, these types loans should only be entered into carefully, considering both the costs of such lines and your ability to afford and repay the loans. Consumer finance loans are typically too expensive for this purpose.

Vigo County Federal Credit Union offers membership to tenants of Vigo County Indiana. You may qualify for membership as a local resident as well as apply for fixed-rate signature loans which were just 12% at press time. Of course you would need to call 812-232-9697 to confirm the current rates.

AdvantagePlus of Indiana Federal Credit Union also has an open membership policy for local residents of Vigo County. Unsecured loans that may be used as rental loans had rates between 10 and 17% APR at press time. Call 812-231-7900 to inquire about the latest loan rates.

These are just a couple of the options available to you. Any of these can provide you with the cash that you need to cover your rent payments or move-in requirements for a new apartment if Terre Haute rental assistance programs are unable to meet your needs.