Pack renews call for support of state rental assistance programs

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) today applauded the City of Indianapolis for prioritizing stable housing for Hoosiers and renewed her call for Governor Eric Holcomb to invest Indiana's COVID relief funds in statewide rental assistance programs.

At yesterday's (Aug. 9) council meeting, city and county officials announced their intent to request an additional $96.4 million in state funding from the CARES Act to support the Indianapolis Rental Assistance Program. The program has already distributed about $53 million to Hoosiers in need.

“I am grateful to see the City-County Council and Mayor take the initiative on providing stable housing to Indianapolis residents,” Pack said. “This is a win for everyone, landlords and tenants alike. The funds dispensed through the rental assistance programs keeps both landlords and tenants in their homes.

“This influx of funding will also help to combat the resurgence of COVID-19. Marion County is back in the yellow, so it's important that Hoosiers have a safe place to isolate and live while we work to gain control of this virus.”

In June, Pack sent a letter to Governor Holcomb, urging him to use Indiana's American Rescue Plan funds to support the state's rental assistance programs. At the time of Pack's letter, over 22,000 evictions had been filed in Indiana in 2021 alone.

Governor Holcomb's office acknowledged that they received Pack's letter, but Pack received no commitment from the Governor on fulfilling her request.

“More and more voices join this call every day,” Pack said.

“The state that prides itself in its 'Hoosier hospitality' should not have its own citizens worried about how they're going to keep a roof over their heads. We have the funds. We have the programs. Let's live up to our reputation and invest in our Hoosier families.”