Resources

HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business.

United Way of Bartholomew County’s United We Help provides local information for basic health and human needs, including governmental services, health services, and social service agencies. The site is available 24/7 and allows users to email or text resources directly.

Human Services, Inc., a Community Action Agency, offers a variety of assistance to families and individuals in need. Their services are available in Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Johnson, and Shelby Counties. There may be a program to help you and your family. Programs include Homeless Prevention;  Coaching for Success Initiative;  Housing Choice Voucher; Head Start/Early Head Start; and Energy Assistance.

Love Chapel is an Outreach Program of the Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Churches. The Food Pantry is one of the main faucets that Love Chapel uses to ensure that the people of the community are provided with the basic amenities. Love Chapel food pantry shelves are arranged to appear like a grocery store.

Emergency Financial Assistance covers rent, rent deposits, utilities, utility deposits, and other items needed based on circumstances. Clients must seek assistance from the Trustee and other sources when eligible. Amounts may vary depending on the need and the circumstances. All assistance checks are mailed to the vendor/landlord and are not given to the client. Cooperation and coordination are often sought with other appropriate organizations in relation to the assistance request. Appointments may be made for the convenience of those seeking assistance.

The Columbus Township Trustee can assist in times of financial emergency with basic necessities. Under Indiana law those basic necessities are shelter (rent and/or mortgage); utilities (gas, electric, and water); food and household items; burials and medication. The Columbus Township Trustee also partners with a local agency, Love Chapel, to assist the homeless.

IndianaHousingNow.org is a housing locator service, launched across the state of Indiana in 2006. Sponsored by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, IndianaHousingNow.org provides detailed information about rental properties and helps people find housing to best fit their needs. The service can be accessed at no cost online 24 hours a day or through a toll-free, bilingual call center at 1-877-428-8844, available M-F, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm EDT. 

The Human Rights Commission assists the residents of Columbus, Indiana facing discrimination. The office also provides technical assistance to Columbus residents who need assistance with state and/or federal claims.

For assistance, call (812) 376-2532 or visit their website.

San Souci’s low cost program is their Community Thrift Store. This program provides low cost necessity and non-necessity items to community members in an attempt to help them stretch their dollar further. San Souci’s no cost program provides necessity items to those in need at no cost to them. Every year this program provides over $90,000 of needed goods including clothing, shoes, and coats.

San Souci’s employee development program is focused on combating the root cause of poverty and improving the lives of those who choose to work and train with them. They provide both full-time and part-time employment to individuals with weak labor market prospects who need additional job training in order to find higher wage employment.

For assistance, call (812) 372-3419 or visit their website.

The mission of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) is to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities by leading the nation in the enforcement, administration, development, and public understanding of federal fair housing policies and laws. FHEO protects people from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. In addition, housing providers that receive HUD funding, have loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), as well as lenders insured by FHA, may be subject to HUD program regulations intended to ensure equal access of LGBT persons.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Inspector General is one of the original 12 Inspectors General authorized under the Inspector General Act of 1978. Over the years, we have forged a strong alliance with HUD personnel in recommending ways to improve departmental operations and in prosecuting program abuses. We strive to make a difference in HUD’s performance and accountability. We are committed to our statutory mission of detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse and promoting the effectiveness and efficiency of government operations. While organizationally we are located within the Department, we operate independently with separate budgetary authority. This independence allows for clear and objective reporting to the Secretary and the Congress. Our activities seek to promote efficiency and effectiveness in programs and operations; detect and deter fraud and abuse; investigate allegations of misconduct by HUD employees; and review and make recommendations regarding existing and proposed legislation and regulations affecting HUD.

To report fraud:

• Submit an online complaint: https://www.hudoig.gov/report-fraud
• Call: HUD OIG Hotline Phone 1-800-347-3735 (Toll-Free)
• Write: HUD Inspector General Hotline (451 7^th Street, SW; Washington, DC 20410)
• Fax: 202-708-4829
• E-Mail: HOTLINE@hudoig.gov

The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) is a private, non-profit fair housing organization founded in 2011. Its mission is to ensure equal housing opportunities by eliminating housing discrimination through advocacy, enforcement, education and outreach.