MICHIGAN CITY — There is no debate that an affordable housing crisis exists – not only in Michigan City and La Porte County but nationwide.
In Michigan City there has been a significant increase in the duration of time families stay at Citizens Concerned for the Homeless’ (CCH) Sand Castle Shelter for Homeless Families program, according to Jim Musial, executive director of CCH.
“There are more homeless individuals on the streets, shelters are full and resources are spread thin. Similarly, evictions are trending upward as housing costs increase. More families are losing their homes despite working hard, sometimes at more than one job,” Musial stated.
Last year, CCH applied for a new grant from the federal government, specifically from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
This program helps unhoused and displaced families launch out of homelessness with financial support, including security deposits for apartments, up to four months of rental assistance and funds for security deposits for all utilities. This part of the program is called Short Term Rapid Rehousing.
The TANF grant also helps families facing eviction due to rent arrears and those at risk of utility shutoffs. The grant provides for up to four months of rental arrearages as well as up to four months of overdue utilities. This part of the program is called Short Term Homelessness Prevention.
Last year, CCH received a $110,000 TANF grant for this program and has helped 32 families find housing and/or avoiding evictions.
Musial explained that “the TANF Award, facilitated by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, assisted 32 families (112 individuals) to secure housing or avoid evictions. In the current housing environment, this was a game-changing opportunity for those who were really struggling.”
Surplus TANF funds were available at the end of the grant term, and reallocations of $225,000 are now available through Sept. 30.
The challenge is to distribute these funds by the end of September. CCH is determined to disperse as much of that money as possible for the benefit of families before the deadline, said Musial.
Qualification for receiving this benefit include a La Porte County residency requirement, having at least one minor dependent living with them, and a requirement to have a monthly case management conference with a CCH case manager.
This ensures the families are doing well and determines if other CCH resources could improve their quality of life.
Families must earn no more than 200 percent above the poverty level to qualify and have a landlord willing to cooperate by signing the contract, providing their W9, signing off on the home inspection permission, and completing a lead-based paint document.
“This opportunity is time sensitive. The time it takes to complete the qualification, including paperwork, inspection and funding, is a process that can move quickly if all parties are actively engaged,” Musial said.
“CCH has assembled a team prepared to receive applications and work with all parties involved to move the program forward on a timely basis. No funding under the TANF program will occur after Sept. 30, 2025. This is a rare and unique opportunity to get a fresh start, whether securing housing or avoiding an eviction,” he added.
