Indiana Rent Protection

At Santa Delivers, we are championing the “Indiana Rent Protection for Low-Income and Fixed-Income Households Act” to protect vulnerable families from excessive rent hikes. This bill is crucial for ensuring stable housing for those who need it most.

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Purpose:
The Act aims to protect low-income and fixed-income households from unsustainable rent increases, particularly in manufactured home communities and low-income apartment complexes. It addresses the displacement of families living in motels and hotels, which are often excluded from homelessness statistics, and the impact of corporate acquisitions that lead to drastic rent hikes.

Findings and Data:

1. Families displaced by rising rents are increasingly living in motels and hotels, which are not included in official homelessness counts. Indiana’s 2023 homelessness report shows a significant rise in such families, though official data underrepresents this issue.
2. Since 2019, Indiana has seen a 15% increase in homelessness, with shelters facing severe capacity issues. Many are turning to motels and campgrounds due to a lack of available shelter space.
3. Corporations acquiring trailer parks and manufactured home communities have significantly increased rents, often by up to 40% within two years. This Act seeks to prevent such predatory practices.
4. Trailer parks and manufactured homes are critical for affordable housing but are vulnerable to exploitation. The Act proposes classifying these as protected low-income housing to control rent increases and prevent displacement.

Who is Impacted and How:
Low-income families residing in mobile homes and low-income apartments, where 50% or more of the residents qualify as low-income, are particularly affected by uncontrolled rent increases. These communities often provide the most affordable housing options, but rising rents driven by corporate acquisitions place them at risk of displacement. In many cases, residents in these areas are forced into precarious living situations, including motels or homelessness, due to unaffordable rent hikes. The Act aims to protect these vulnerable populations by regulating rent increases and preventing exploitation of essential affordable housing.

What is at Stake:
Without legislative action, many residents in mobile homes and low-income apartments may face severe rent increases, leading to potential displacement and homelessness. The affordability and stability of housing for a significant portion of Indiana’s low-income and fixed-income residents are at risk. The loss of these critical housing options will exacerbate existing homelessness issues and undermine community stability. The Act’s provisions are crucial to ensuring that these communities remain accessible and affordable for those who need them most.

Why is it Time to Take Action:
The situation has reached a critical point where immediate action is necessary to protect Indiana’s most vulnerable residents. Rising rents and corporate buyouts are rapidly increasing the risk of displacement for low-income and fixed-income households. With the current homelessness crisis and growing evidence of exploitative practices, it is imperative to enact protective measures now. The Act will provide immediate relief and long-term stability for thousands of Indiana families, ensuring that affordable housing remains available and secure.

Provisions:

1. Rent increases for protected housing units shall not exceed 1% annually.
2. Corporate entities acquiring properties with 50% or more low-income residents must maintain affordable rents for at least 10 years, with penalties for non-compliance.
3. Tenants in protected housing will have legal recourse and state-funded assistance if displaced by unlawful rent increases.
4. Landlords must report annually to the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and face penalties for non-compliance.

Implementation:
The IHCDA will enforce the Act, handle tenant complaints, and ensure compliance. The Act will become effective one year after passage to allow for necessary preparations.

We urge the Indiana State Legislature to enact this legislation to protect vulnerable households and ensure that affordable housing remains accessible to those who need it most.

1. Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, “Indiana 2023 Report on Homelessness,” 2023.
2. National Low Income Housing Coalition, “Out of Reach: Indiana’s Housing Costs,” 2022.
3. Manufactured Housing Institute, “Corporate Acquisition of Manufactured Home Communities: Trends and Impacts,” 2022.
4. Private Equity Stakeholder Project, “Corporate Ownership of Indiana Trailer Parks: Rent Increases and Tenant Displacement,” 2021.

How You Can Help:

1. Support Our Bill: Contact your Indiana Senators and Representatives to urge them to support this bill. 

2. Sign Our Petition: https://chng.it/rGw4GpnjL5

3. Spread the Word: Share this page with your network to raise awareness.

See our impact daily on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/santadeliversnonprofit?mibextid=LQQJ4d