This is informational only and not legal advice.

An eviction record in Indiana is generated when a landlord files an eviction lawsuit — formally called a "small claims" or "complaint for possession" — in the local township small claims court or circuit court. Even if the case was dismissed, settled, or decided in your favor, a public record of that filing may still exist in the court system and may be visible to tenant-screening companies and landlords.

Indiana does not require landlords to report only convictions. Eviction filings themselves — sometimes called an "eviction history" — can appear in background check reports and may influence a landlord's decision regardless of the outcome.

As of July 1, 2025, Senate Enrolled Act 142 (Public Law 128) made meaningful changes to how eviction records are handled. Courts are now required to automatically seal records when: the case is dismissed; judgment is entered in favor of the tenant; or a judgment is overturned on appeal. Additionally, tenants who have satisfied all financial obligations related to an eviction judgment can now petition for sealing. Cases with final orders but no monetary judgment can be sealed after seven years.

Once sealed, these records cannot be accessed by landlords or tenant-screening companies during the application process. However, older records that pre-date July 1, 2025 still require a tenant to actively petition the court. Understanding whether your record is already sealed — or whether you are eligible to petition — is essential before applying for new housing.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana has historically carried among the highest rates of eviction filings in the Midwest, according to data tracked by the Eviction Lab. An eviction record — even one that did not result in an actual removal from the property — can shadow a renter for years and create significant barriers to finding new housing. Until recently, Indiana's legal framework provided only limited tools for tenants to address these records.

In Indiana, the eviction process is governed by Indiana Code Title 32, Article 31 (IC 32-31), which sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The eviction process typically begins with a written notice — most commonly a 10-day notice to pay or vacate for non-payment of rent — followed by a formal lawsuit in the local small claims or circuit court. The filing of that lawsuit itself becomes part of the public court record, even if the matter is resolved before any judgment is entered.

Tenant-screening companies regularly search public court records and compile these filings into background check reports that are sold to landlords. Many landlords treat any eviction filing — not just an eviction judgment — as a disqualifying factor. This practice can harm tenants who resolved disputes with their landlord, won in court, or who had cases dismissed entirely.

Indiana's Senate Enrolled Act 142 (SEA 142), signed into law and effective July 1, 2025, brought the most significant improvements to Indiana's eviction sealing framework in years.

Under the new law, courts are required to automatically seal eviction records — without any action from the tenant — in the following situations: the case is dismissed; judgment is entered in favor of the tenant; or a judgment against the tenant is overturned or vacated on appeal.

For cases where a monetary judgment was entered against the tenant but has since been paid in full, the tenant may petition the court to seal the record. Prior to this law, courts across Indiana interpreted eligibility inconsistently. SEA 142 clarified that a fully satisfied judgment qualifies for sealing. Additionally, cases where a final order was entered but no money judgment was issued can be sealed after seven years have passed.

Sealed eviction records are not accessible to landlords or screening companies during the rental application process.

Not every eviction is eligible for automatic sealing or immediate petition. If you have an unsatisfied monetary judgment — meaning money is still owed and has not been paid — the record is likely not yet eligible for sealing. Cases that occurred prior to July 1, 2025, that do not fall into the automatic categories will require you to file a motion with the court. Court procedures vary by county.

Before applying for new housing, a member with an eviction record should take the following steps. First, obtain a copy of your Indiana eviction court record from the court where the case was filed. Small claims cases are typically filed in township small claims courts or circuit courts.

You can search Indiana's public court records through mycase.in.gov. Second, determine whether your record has already been automatically sealed under SEA 142. If you won the case, it was dismissed, or the judgment was reversed, the court was required to seal it after July 1, 2025. Third, if you have a paid judgment, obtain documentation showing full payment — receipts, satisfaction of judgment paperwork, or a letter from the landlord or landlord's attorney — and consult with a housing advocate or legal aid provider about filing a petition. Fourth, if your record is sealed, you should not need to disclose it to private landlords during screening. If a background check report incorrectly reports a sealed record, you may have rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to dispute that information.

If you have an eviction record in Indiana, identify the court where the case was filed, search your record at mycase.in.gov, determine whether it qualifies for automatic sealing or petition under SEA 142, and contact Indiana Legal Services or a local legal aid organization for help filing a petition if needed. Do not assume all background check reports are accurate — you have the right to request a copy of any screening report used against you and dispute errors.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana's landlord-tenant relationship is governed principally by Indiana Code Title 32, Article 31 (IC 32-31). The eviction process — formally referred to as a "summary proceedings for possession" — is addressed under IC 32-31-1, IC 32-31-6, and IC 32-31-7. The general notice requirement for non-payment of rent provides a landlord ten days to demand payment or surrender of the premises. IC 32-31-1-6 governs the notice period for month-to-month tenancies for reasons other than nonpayment, requiring a 30-day written notice. Indiana uses a system of township small claims courts, circuit courts, and superior courts for eviction matters, and the specific court depends on the county and dollar amount at issue.

Indiana's new eviction sealing framework is codified through Senate Enrolled Act 142 (2025), enacted as Public Law 128, effective July 1, 2025. The substantive sealing provisions are found in the statute governing disclosure of residential eviction information. The law establishes three categories of mandatory automatic sealing: dismissed cases; tenant-favorable judgments; and judgments overturned or vacated on appeal. For cases with satisfied monetary judgments, tenants may petition the court for sealing. Cases with final orders and no monetary judgment become eligible for sealing after a seven-year waiting period.

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., tenant-screening companies that compile and sell background check reports to landlords are considered "consumer reporting agencies." Eviction records may lawfully appear in such reports if they are accurate and not legally protected. However, the FCRA's seven-year lookback limitation under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c generally restricts the reporting of certain adverse items older than seven years, though eviction court records have been treated inconsistently in case law regarding this limitation.

More critically, once an eviction record is sealed under Indiana law, it is not accessible through public court records and should not appear in a screening report. If a consumer reporting agency reports a sealed record, the tenant may have a claim under FCRA Section 1681e (reasonable procedures to ensure accuracy) and Section 1681i (duty to reinvestigate disputed information). Tenants denied housing based on a background check report must be given an "adverse action notice" identifying the consumer reporting agency and informing them of their right to dispute the report. This right is established under FCRA Section 1681m.

When a rental application is denied in whole or in part because of information in a consumer report, the applicant must receive: (1) notice of the adverse action; (2) the name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting agency; (3) a statement of the right to obtain a free copy of the report within 60 days; and (4) a statement of the right to dispute the accuracy or completeness of the report. 15 U.S.C. § 1681m. If a sealed Indiana eviction record appears in a screening report, the member should immediately request the report, file a dispute with the consumer reporting agency, and contact the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) or Indiana Legal Services.

Indiana courts have also implemented pre-eviction diversion programs in multiple counties. The Indiana Supreme Court authorized a statewide Eviction Diversion Program, administered

allowed landlords and tenants to resolve non-payment disputes before formal eviction filings occur. Participation in a pre-eviction diversion program and resolution through rental assistance or a payment plan prevents a court record from being generated in the first place — a significant benefit for tenants.

For housing advocates and legal practitioners working with members who have eviction histories, the following approach is recommended. Begin with a court record search at mycase.in.gov to determine whether a record is already sealed under SEA 142's automatic provisions. If the record was filed before July 1, 2025, and involves a dismissed case or tenant-favorable judgment, the advocate should contact the filing court and inquire whether automatic sealing was applied. If not, a petition motion is appropriate. For satisfied monetary judgments, gather documentation of full payment and file a petition in the original court. Where records are old and involve no monetary judgment, calculate whether the seven-year waiting period has run. For active background check disputes involving sealed records, file with the consumer reporting agency and, if unresolved, consider an FCRA complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Practitioners should also be aware that tenant-screening companies maintain their own databases separate from court records, and these databases may not update promptly after a court seals a record. A sealed court record does not automatically remove the record from private screening databases. This gap requires active advocacy — specifically, written dispute letters sent directly to the screening company with attached court documentation confirming sealing.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana Code Title 32, Article 31 (IC 32-31) governs landlord-tenant relations in Indiana, including the eviction process, notice requirements, and tenant rights. The primary eviction procedure framework is found at IC 32-31-1 (general provisions), IC 32-31-6 (landlord remedies), and IC 32-31-7 (summary proceedings for possession). Landlord notice requirements include: 10-day written notice for non-payment of rent (IC 32-31-1-6); 30-day notice for month-to-month tenancy terminations for reasons other than non-payment; and specific notice periods for lease violations.

Senate Enrolled Act 142 (SEA 142), enacted as Public Law 128 and effective July 1, 2025, substantially reformed Indiana's eviction sealing framework. The statute added provisions requiring mandatory automatic sealing for dismissed cases, tenant-favorable judgments, and judgments overturned or vacated on appeal. It also clarified that tenants with satisfied monetary judgments may petition for sealing, and created a seven-year sealing option for cases with final orders and no monetary judgment. The full enrolled act text is available through the Indiana General Assembly at iga.in.gov.

chapter now incorporates the amended sealing framework under SEA 142. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, maintain, and report eviction records to landlords. Adverse action notice requirements are found at 15 U.S.C. § 1681m. The CFPB and FTC jointly enforce the FCRA at the federal level.

Indiana courts process eviction matters through township small claims courts, circuit courts, and superior courts. Court records are searchable through Indiana's public access portal at mycase.in.gov. Court filing and sealing procedures vary by county.

Eviction records in Indiana can appear in a tenant-screening report in multiple ways. Consumer reporting agencies that compile public court records will report eviction filings, regardless of whether a judgment was entered or the case was resolved in the tenant's favor. Private screening databases maintained independently of court systems may also contain eviction data and may not promptly update when a court seals a record.

Landlords may use eviction history as a screening criterion without a uniform state law limiting how far back they can look for unfavorable outcomes. Indiana does not have a statewide "ban the box" equivalent for housing that restricts eviction history lookback periods in private market rentals. This means a landlord reviewing a screening report may see an eviction filing from five or ten years ago unless it has been sealed.

Once a record is sealed under Indiana law, it is prohibited from public disclosure. A sealed eviction record should not appear in a background check report. If it does, the tenant has FCRA dispute rights and may also have a fair housing claim if the landlord's use of that record is pretextual or disparate in impact.

For federally assisted housing, eviction history related to drug activity may result in mandatory denial. PHAs have additional discretion to consider eviction history when evaluating HCV applicants and public housing applicants.

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Statewide — serves all 92 Indiana counties Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents facing eviction, including help with eviction sealing petitions, tenant defense in eviction proceedings, and housing rights.

Indiana Legal Help Website: indianalegalhelp.org Provides free legal information, self-help forms including eviction sealing forms, and court navigation tools. Eviction sealing petition forms are available directly at indianalegalhelp.org/legal-topic/eviction-sealing-form/.

Housing4Hoosiers Website: housing4hoosiers.org Provides information on Indiana tenant rights, rental rights, housing counseling resources, and links to HUD-certified housing counseling agencies throughout the state.

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Indianapolis, Indiana Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org Investigates housing discrimination complaints, provides education on fair housing rights, and may assist tenants who believe they have been improperly denied housing based on eviction records. Handles complaints for central Indiana; may refer statewide.

HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) Phone: 1-800-669-9777 Website: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp Accepts complaints of housing discrimination based on protected class. Administers the Fair Housing Act.

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website:

housing counseling agencies across Indiana. Counseling services include rental housing navigation, tenant rights education, and housing barrier support.

CFPB Housing Counselor Locator Website: www.consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor/ Locates HUD-approved housing counseling agencies by ZIP code.

Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Indianapolis, Indiana Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Administers statewide housing programs, HOME

www.indianahousingnow.org. Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Indianapolis, Indiana Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org Administers Housing Choice Voucher and public housing programs in Indianapolis/Marion County. As of July 2025, IHA temporarily paused new HCV processing — check website for current status.

Indiana 211 Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 (24/7) Text: ZIP code to 898-211 Website: www.in211.org Connects Indiana residents with local housing assistance, rental assistance, eviction prevention resources, and community services statewide.

Senate Enrolled Act 142 (2025), Public Law 128, Indiana General Assembly Source: iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/142 Indiana Code Title 32, Article 31 — Landlord-Tenant Relations Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-31/ Prosperity Indiana — New Indiana Law Strengthens Eviction Sealing Protections for Tenants (2025) Source: www.prosperityindiana.org/News/13515907 Housing4Hoosiers — Getting the Most from Indiana's New Eviction Sealing Law (August 2025) Source: housing4hoosiers.org/2025/08/26/indianas-new-eviction-sealing-law/ Eviction Lab — Indiana Eviction Tracking Data Source: evictionlab.org/eviction-tracking/ Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III Indiana Legal Help — Eviction Sealing Form Source: indianalegalhelp.org/legal-topic/eviction-sealing-form/ Indiana myCase Public Court Record Search Source: mycase.in.gov Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana Source: www.fhcci.org Indiana Legal Services, Inc. Source: www.indianalegalservices.org

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

A broken lease in Indiana typically refers to a situation where a tenant vacates a rental unit before the lease's end date without legal justification, or a situation where a tenant is removed for a serious lease violation. The consequences for a tenant can take several forms that affect future housing.

First, a former landlord may pursue a civil small claims lawsuit to collect unpaid rent, early termination fees, or damages. If the landlord obtains a judgment, that judgment becomes a public record and, if reported to a credit bureau, will appear on the tenant's credit report as an unpaid civil judgment or collection account. Indiana civil judgments remain enforceable for up to 10 years and can be renewed.

Second, tenant-screening companies maintain rental history databases — such as the Tenant Turner, TransUnion SmartMove, and similar systems — that compile information from property management companies, landlords, and collection agencies. A negative reference, a reported "skip," or an unpaid balance owed to a former landlord may appear in these databases and influence a future landlord's decision.

Third, some leases contain provisions that report defaults directly to credit bureaus. This can lower a credit score and trigger denial based on credit standards.

Understanding which category of damage applies to your situation, what records exist, and what remediation is possible determines your navigation strategy. Paying off or settling a debt before applying for new housing, obtaining a neutral or positive reference from a future rental contact, and documenting good rental history with smaller private landlords are all workable strategies in Indiana.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

A broken lease is not a single, uniform event — it encompasses a range of circumstances with different legal and practical consequences. In Indiana, the term covers early departures, mutual lease terminations, lease breaks for financial hardship, forced exits due to habitability issues, and terminations that result from lease violations leading to eviction. Each of these scenarios produces a different type of record and a different level of housing barrier.

Indiana law provides tenants with certain legal grounds to terminate a lease without penalty.

Under IC 32-31-9, tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may terminate a lease with proper documentation. Under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), military members who receive qualifying orders may terminate a lease with written notice and a copy of their orders. A landlord's material failure to maintain the premises in a habitable condition may also justify a lease termination under Indiana's habitability standards (IC 32-31-8-5), although this typically requires the tenant to have followed proper notice procedures before vacating. When a lease break is legally justified, the tenant is not liable for additional rent, and ideally there should be no negative report.

However, a tenant who leaves without invoking a legal right — or who breaks the lease for financial or personal reasons without written agreement from the landlord — remains liable for rent through the end of the lease term, subject to the landlord's duty to mitigate. Under Indiana law, a landlord has a duty to make reasonable efforts to re-rent the unit and cannot simply allow the unit to sit vacant and collect the full rent from the departing tenant.

If a landlord sues and obtains a civil money judgment in Indiana small claims or circuit court, that judgment: becomes part of the public court record searchable through mycase.in.gov; may be reported to credit bureaus through debt collection agencies, lowering the tenant's credit score; remains enforceable for up to 10 years under IC 34-11-2-12 and may be renewed for an additional 10-year period; and may result in wage garnishment or bank levy if not resolved. A civil money judgment from a broken lease is not an eviction record and is not eligible for sealing under Indiana's eviction sealing law, SEA 142. It is a separate legal instrument. A tenant must pay, negotiate settlement, or challenge the validity of the debt through proper legal processes.

Consumer reporting agencies that serve the tenant-screening industry compile rental history information independently of court records. Even if no lawsuit was ever filed, a property management company may have reported a negative rental history — including "balance owed," "lease break," or "evicted/skipped" — directly to a screening database. Under the FCRA, these records are generally reportable for seven years from the date of the original adverse event. A tenant may request a free copy of their rental screening report from the consumer reporting agency used by the landlord who denied them. The major tenant-screening platforms that

RentBureau, and similar services. Each has a dispute process for inaccurate or outdated records.

Before applying for new housing, a member with a broken lease history should take the following steps. First, search your civil court record at mycase.in.gov to determine whether any judgment was entered against you. Second, request your credit report from the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — at annualcreditreport.com to see if the judgment or any related collection account is reported. Third, contact the former landlord or their collection agency to inquire about settling the debt. Many landlords will accept a reduced settlement in exchange for a written release, and some will agree to remove or update a negative reference. Obtain any such agreement in writing before paying. Fourth, build a positive rental reference record. This can be done by renting from a smaller private landlord who is willing to consider your full history, or by offering additional security deposits, a co-signer, or advance rent payments.

Document what happened. If the lease break involved a justified legal cause — such as domestic violence or military orders — gather that documentation now. Search your records at mycase.in.gov and annualcreditreport.com. If a civil judgment exists and is unpaid, explore payment or settlement options before applying for new housing. If a background check report contains an error, file a dispute with the consumer reporting agency in writing. Contact Indiana Legal Services if you need help understanding your rights.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana's landlord-tenant law governing lease obligations and landlord remedies is primarily found at Indiana Code Title 32, Article 31. Key provisions include IC 32-31-7 (summary proceedings for possession), IC 32-31-5 (landlord's duties), IC 32-31-8 (tenant remedies for habitability failures), and IC 32-31-9 (protections for victims of domestic and family violence).

General contract law principles govern lease agreements, and civil judgment and collection procedures are governed by IC 34-11 (limitations of actions) and IC 34-25 (enforcement of judgments).

Indiana's duty to mitigate is a common law obligation recognized by Indiana courts, requiring landlords to make reasonable efforts to re-rent a vacated unit before recovering the full unpaid lease balance from a departing tenant. See Sigsbee v. Swathwood, 419 N.E.2d 789 (Ind. Ct.

App. 1981). A landlord who fails to mitigate may have their recoverable damages reduced proportionally.

A civil judgment obtained through small claims court for unpaid rent or lease damages is: publicly recorded in the court where it was entered; executable against the debtor's wages under IC 24-4.5-5 (consumer credit code garnishment provisions); and enforceable for ten years under IC 34-11-2-12, with the ability to renew. Judgment records appear at mycase.in.gov and are regularly indexed by consumer reporting agencies and tenant-screening companies. A satisfied civil judgment — meaning the debtor paid the full amount — remains on a credit report for up to seven years from the original delinquency date under the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681c. An unsatisfied judgment may remain until paid and then continue to appear for the statutory period. Collection accounts tied to a broken lease debt follow the same FCRA seven-year rule.

Unlike eviction records, civil money judgments for lease debt are not subject to Indiana's eviction sealing statute. There is no standalone Indiana statute that seals civil money judgments from public records upon satisfaction.

When a landlord uses a consumer report to make a rental decision, obligations under the FCRA arise. If a consumer report contributed to a denial or adverse action, the landlord must issue an adverse action notice identifying the consumer reporting agency, providing the contact information, and advising the applicant of their right to a free copy and to dispute. 15 U.S.C. § 1681m.

For broken lease records that appear in tenant-screening reports, practitioners should examine: (1) whether the underlying data is accurate; (2) whether the record falls within the FCRA's seven-year reporting window; and (3) whether the tenant has been properly notified of adverse action. Disputes must be filed in writing with the consumer reporting agency under 15 U.S.C. § 1681i. If the agency fails to reinvestigate within 30 days, the consumer may pursue civil

noncompliance).

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), 50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq., allows active duty servicemembers who receive a permanent change of station order or deployment orders for more than 90 days to terminate a residential lease with 30 days' written notice and a copy of orders. The landlord may not charge an early termination fee or report a negative history for a lawfully exercised SCRA termination.

Indiana Code 32-31-9 provides that tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may terminate a lease within 60 days of providing written notice and supporting documentation (such as a civil protection order, police report, or statement from a victim services professional). The landlord cannot report this as a "lease break" for purposes of negative history if the tenant properly invoked this statute.

Advocates should first obtain the tenant's full picture: court record, credit report, and if possible, a copy of the original screening report used to deny housing. For active civil judgments, assess whether the judgment is valid, whether the amount is accurate, and whether the landlord fulfilled the duty to mitigate. Many small claims judgments are contested on mitigation grounds. For screening reports containing inaccurate "balance owed" data or negative rental history from a lease break the tenant disputes, send written disputes to the consumer reporting agency with documentation.

Where a landlord has reported an improper negative history following a justified SCRA or domestic violence termination, a civil rights complaint may be appropriate. The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana handles such referrals for central Indiana; HUD FHEO handles complaints statewide.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana Code Title 32, Article 31 governs the full scope of landlord-tenant relations in Indiana, including lease obligations, landlord remedies, tenant rights, and eviction procedures. Lease abandonment and breach provisions are addressed across multiple subchapters. The landlord's duty to mitigate is recognized under Indiana common law; see Sigsbee v. Swathwood, 419 N.E.2d 789 (Ind. Ct. App. 1981).

IC 32-31-9 (Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking) establishes the right to terminate a lease without penalty for qualifying victims upon proper notice and documentation.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), 50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq., governs lease termination rights for active duty military personnel. Enforcement is available through the U.S.

Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. IC 34-11-2-12 governs the 10-year statute of limitations for enforcement of civil money judgments in Indiana, with renewal rights.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., governs how broken lease debts, civil judgments, and rental history records are reported and disputed through consumer reporting agencies.

Indiana Civil Rules of Procedure and Small Claims Court Rules govern how landlords file and prosecute lease-related civil claims. Indiana small claims court decisions are accessible through mycase.in.gov.

A broken lease can affect a tenant's housing search in three primary ways. The first is through a civil money judgment recorded in Indiana court records and potentially reported to credit bureaus, lowering credit scores and appearing in public records checks. The second is through rental history databases compiled independently by tenant-screening companies, which may reflect "balance owed," "prior lease default," "skip," or similar negative notations. The third is through direct negative landlord references, where a future landlord contacts the prior landlord and is told of the lease break, debt, or behavioral issues.

None of these records is automatically sealed or removed under Indiana's current law. The FCRA's seven-year reporting limitation applies to credit report items and consumer reporting agency records. Court records, unless sealed under Indiana's eviction sealing law (which does not apply to civil money judgments), remain publicly accessible indefinitely through mycase.in.gov.

Landlords in Indiana are generally free to consider a broken lease history in rental screening, subject to the FCRA's adverse action notice requirements. There is no Indiana state law that limits how a private landlord may use rental history information.

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Statewide — serves all 92 Indiana counties Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Provides free legal assistance to low-income tenants regarding lease disputes, civil judgment disputes, and housing navigation.

Indiana Legal Help Website: indianalegalhelp.org Provides self-help tools and information on Indiana tenant rights, lease law, and housing records.

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Indianapolis, Indiana Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org Handles fair housing complaints, including cases where lease break histories may have been used pretextually or in a discriminatory manner.

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website:

renters with HUD-certified housing counseling agencies for tenant rights education and housing navigation.

AnnualCreditReport.com Website: annualcreditreport.com Provides free access to credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Tenants should review their credit report before applying for housing.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Phone: 1-855-411-2372 Website: www.consumerfinance.gov Accepts complaints about consumer reporting errors, adverse action notice failures, and FCRA violations.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Website: www.ftc.gov Jointly enforces the FCRA with the CFPB. Provides consumer guidance on background check disputes.

Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Administers statewide affordable housing programs. Indiana Housing Now portal: www.indianahousingnow.org Indiana 211 Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org Connects tenants with local housing and rental assistance resources.

Indiana Code Title 32, Article 31 — Landlord-Tenant Relations Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-31/ Indiana Code § 32-31-9 — Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-31/chapter-9/ Sigsbee v. Swathwood, 419 N.E.2d 789 (Ind. Ct. App. 1981) — Landlord duty to mitigate Source: Indiana Court of Appeals Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), 50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/chapter-50 Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III TurboTenant — Breaking a Lease in Indiana Source: www.turbotenant.com/rental-lease-agreement/indiana/laws/breaking-a-lease/ Indiana myCase Public Court Record Search Source: mycase.in.gov Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Adverse Action and Tenant Screening Source: www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-should-i-do-if-my-rental-application-is-denied-because -of-a-tenant-screening-report-en-2105/

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana's Pretrial Diversion Program (PDP) is authorized under Indiana Code § 33-39-1-8 and is offered at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney. It allows certain individuals charged with qualifying offenses — primarily misdemeanors, Level 6 felonies, and some Level 5 felonies — to enter into a diversion agreement rather than facing prosecution. In exchange for fulfilling conditions such as community service, counseling, fines, or restitution, the prosecuting attorney agrees to withhold prosecution. If the participant successfully completes the program, the charges are typically dismissed.

The key legal distinction is that diversion does not result in a conviction. Because prosecution is withheld and the charges are dismissed upon completion, the individual has no criminal judgment on their record for that charge. This is significant for housing because many landlords who conduct criminal background checks are looking for convictions, not just arrests. A successfully completed PDP results in no conviction, which is a materially different record than a guilty plea or finding.

However, the arrest record itself and the court record showing the diversion agreement and dismissal may still be accessible through public court records. Under Indiana's Second Chance Law (IC 35-38-9), individuals may be eligible to expunge or seal records of dismissed charges, typically after a one-year waiting period from arrest (for records where no conviction resulted).

Once expunged, the record is sealed and inaccessible to the public, including landlords.

The critical steps for any individual who completed a PDP are: confirm the charges were formally dismissed; determine whether the arrest or court record is still publicly accessible; and pursue expungement or sealing of the record under IC 35-38-9-1 if eligible.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana's Pretrial Diversion Program is one of the state's primary mechanisms for diverting individuals out of the criminal justice system before formal prosecution occurs. When used successfully, it can prevent a conviction from ever appearing on a person's criminal record.

However, the process of navigating what records do remain — and how to seal them — is not automatic, and it directly affects housing access.

Indiana Code § 33-39-1-8 grants prosecuting attorneys the authority to withhold prosecution for a defendant charged with a misdemeanor, a Level 6 felony, or a Level 5 felony, provided the defendant agrees to conditions established by the prosecutor. These conditions commonly include: payment of program fees ($50 initial fee, $10 per month); completion of community service; participation in counseling, treatment, or educational programs; avoidance of further criminal conduct; and in some cases, restitution to victims.

The program is not available for all offenses. Prosecutors retain full discretion over who is offered diversion, and acceptance is not guaranteed. Certain serious offenses, sex offenses, and crimes against children are generally excluded. The diversion agreement is contractual in nature — if the defendant violates its terms, the prosecutor may resume prosecution on the original charges.

Upon successful completion, the prosecutor dismisses the charges. At that point, the individual has no conviction for those charges.

Even after the charges are dismissed, several records may still exist and may be accessible to the public. The arrest record maintained by law enforcement will exist unless sealed or expunged. The court record showing that charges were filed and subsequently dismissed will exist in Indiana's public court system (accessible at mycase.in.gov) unless sealed. The diversion agreement itself, while not a conviction, is a court document and may be accessible.

Consumer reporting agencies and tenant-screening companies often search public court records and arrest records. Even a dismissed charge that resulted from a completed diversion program can appear in a background check report as an "arrest" or as charges "dismissed after diversion." Some landlords, particularly large institutional property managers, will treat any arrest or criminal court record as a screening concern, regardless of whether a conviction occurred.

Indiana Code § 35-38-9-1 governs expungement of arrest records where the individual was not convicted. For cases where charges were dismissed — including after completion of a diversion program — the individual may petition for expungement of the arrest record as early as one year after the date of the arrest, criminal charge, or diversion completion, whichever is later.

Once an expungement petition is granted under IC 35-38-9-1, the court orders all records related to the criminal charges expunged, meaning they are restricted from public access. Law enforcement retains access for limited purposes, but the general public and landlords cannot access the record. Consumer reporting agencies are required to remove expunged records from their reports.

The practical consequence is that a successfully completed PDP followed by an IC 35-38-9-1 expungement can result in a clean record for housing purposes — no conviction, no visible arrest, no accessible court record. This is among the strongest record-clearing pathways available in Indiana.

Before applying for housing, any member who completed an Indiana PDP should take the following steps. First, confirm with the original court that the charges were formally dismissed and obtain a copy of the dismissal order. Second, search mycase.in.gov to verify whether the court record is still publicly accessible. Third, determine whether the one-year waiting period for an IC 35-38-9-1 expungement petition has passed. Fourth, consult with a legal aid provider or attorney to file the expungement petition if eligible. Fifth, after expungement is granted, retain a copy of the expungement order to use if a background check report incorrectly reflects the sealed record.

Do not assume your record is already sealed simply because you completed the program and the charges were dismissed. Confirm the dismissal, search mycase.in.gov, and actively pursue expungement under IC 35-38-9-1. Contact Indiana Legal Services or a private expungement attorney for assistance. Once expunged, you are generally not required to disclose the matter to private landlords. If a background check report still shows the arrest or charge after expungement, dispute it immediately with the consumer reporting agency and provide a copy of the expungement order.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Screening

Indiana Code § 33-39-1-8 is the governing statute for the Pretrial Diversion Program. The statute provides that a prosecuting attorney may withhold prosecution if the person is charged with a misdemeanor, Level 6 felony, or Level 5 felony (subject to limitations); there is sufficient evidence to support prosecution; and the prosecuting attorney determines that diversion is in the interests of justice. The statute authorizes the prosecutor to impose conditions on the diversion agreement, including program fees, community service, counseling, treatment, and other requirements. The statute specifies that the diversion program fee includes a $50 initial fee and $10 per month for each month the agreement is in effect.

Diversion is entirely a prosecutorial function — courts do not approve or deny diversion agreements. The agreement is entered into solely between the prosecutor and the defendant (and their attorney). This is a significant procedural distinction from other states where courts play an active role in diversion.

Expungement After Diversion: IC 35-38-9-1 Indiana Code § 35-38-9-1 governs expungement of arrest and charge records where no conviction resulted. Under § 35-38-9-1(b), a person may petition for expungement not earlier than one year after the date of arrest, criminal charge, or diversion completion (whichever is later), provided no criminal charges are pending. Upon a grant of expungement under this provision, the court orders all records related to the criminal charges expunged. This includes law enforcement records, court records, and any records held by state agencies. The statute at § 35-38-9-1(d) specifically requires that the court immediately order all records expunged upon granting the petition.

Under IC 35-38-9-10, a person who has received an expungement is not required to disclose the expunged arrest or charge when applying for employment or housing. The statute extends this protection to applications for housing specifically.

The pathway from PDP completion to a clean housing record requires the following sequential steps. First, confirm that the charges were formally dismissed by the prosecutor upon completion of the diversion agreement — practitioners should obtain a copy of the dismissal entry from the court docket. Second, calculate the one-year waiting period from the later of the arrest date, charge date, or diversion completion date. Third, prepare and file a Petition for Expungement under IC 35-38-9-1 in the court where the charges were filed. The court must grant the petition if all statutory requirements are met — for no-conviction records, expungement under § 35-38-9-1 is a mandatory grant upon proper filing (no judicial discretion to deny if the statute is satisfied). Fourth, serve the expungement order on all relevant agencies including law enforcement, the court clerk, and IDOC if applicable. Fifth, monitor consumer reporting agency databases and dispute any records that appear after expungement.

Consumer reporting agencies that include arrest records or dismissed charge records in background check reports are subject to the FCRA. After an Indiana expungement under IC 35-38-9-1, these records are legally sealed and should not appear in consumer reports. If they do, the report is inaccurate under the FCRA's accuracy standards at 15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b). The tenant has the right to dispute the record under § 1681i and, if the agency fails to correct the record, to pursue civil remedies under §§ 1681n and 1681o.

Additionally, the use of arrest records (as opposed to convictions) in tenant screening is a recognized fair housing concern. HUD's 2016 guidance (OGC Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the Use of Criminal Records) took the position that blanket policies relying on arrest records alone — without convictions — may create disparate impact under the Fair Housing Act. While HUD has since rescinded parts of that guidance (as of a 2025 HUD notice), the underlying Fair Housing Act disparate impact theory remains viable through litigation. Practitioners representing members denied housing based solely on an arrest record or dismissed diversion-related charge should evaluate both FCRA and Fair Housing Act claims.

For Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) holders or applicants, PHAs are generally prohibited from denying vouchers based solely on arrest records without conviction. Under HUD's longstanding policy, arrest records alone are not sufficient basis for denial of federally assisted housing. A successfully completed PDP resulting in dismissed charges should be treated as a no-conviction record for voucher purposes.

When working with a client who completed an Indiana PDP, a practitioner should confirm: (1) the charges were dismissed and a dismissal order exists; (2) the waiting period for IC 35-38-9-1 has elapsed; (3) whether the expungement petition has been filed and, if so, whether the order has been served on all agencies; (4) whether mycase.in.gov still shows the record; (5) whether any consumer reporting agency has the record in their database; and (6) whether any PHA or landlord has denied housing based on the record, triggering adverse action notice and potential FCRA or fair housing claims.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

diversion for misdemeanors, Level 6 felonies, and Level 5 felonies at their discretion. Source: codes.findlaw.com/in/title-33-courts-and-court-officers/in-code-sect-33-39-1-8/ Indiana Code § 35-38-9-1 — Expunging Arrest Records / No Conviction Records Governs expungement of arrest and charge records where no conviction resulted. Eligible petitioners may apply one year after arrest, charge, or diversion completion. Court must grant the petition if requirements are met. Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-35/article-38/chapter-9/section-35-38-9-1/ Indiana Code § 35-38-9-10 — Effect of Expungement on Disclosure Obligations Provides that a person whose record has been expunged is not required to disclose the matter in employment or housing applications. Source: IC 35-38-9, available at in.gov/ipdc/files/TITLE35_AR38_ch9.pdf Indiana Code Title 33, Article 39, Chapter 1 — Prosecuting Attorneys; Pretrial Diversion Full chapter governing prosecuting attorneys' duties and authority, including PDP. Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-33/article-39/chapter-1/ Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. Governs accuracy, dispute, and adverse action requirements for tenant background check reports. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III HUD OGC Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the Use of Criminal Records (2016, as amended) Source: archives.hud.gov/offices/fheo/Implementation-of-OGC-Guidance…

Indiana myCase Public Court Record Portal Source: mycase.in.gov

A member who completed an Indiana Pretrial Diversion Program and whose charges were dismissed may still face housing screening consequences unless the record has been expunged under IC 35-38-9-1. Tenant-screening companies routinely search public court records, which may reflect the arrest, the filing of charges, the diversion agreement, and the subsequent dismissal. A screening report may display this information as a criminal record entry even though no conviction exists.

Large institutional landlords and property management companies with automated screening systems often flag any criminal court record — including dismissed charges — as a screening concern. The appearance of a diversion-related record without context can be misread as evidence of criminal activity or risk.

Once a successful IC 35-38-9-1 expungement order is entered, the records are sealed from public access. Landlords and screening companies should not be able to access or report the matter. If a sealed or expunged record appears in a screening report, the tenant has FCRA dispute rights and may have a fair housing claim.

For public housing and HCV programs, PHAs are prohibited from using arrest records alone — without conviction — as the basis for denial. A completed diversion program resulting in dismissed charges should be presented to a PHA as a no-conviction record.

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Statewide Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Provides free civil legal assistance, including expungement petition support and housing rights advocacy for low-income Indiana residents.

Indiana Legal Help Website: indianalegalhelp.org Provides self-help expungement and housing rights resources. Expungement information available at the site's criminal record section.

McNeely Law LLP Indianapolis, Indiana Website: www.mcneelylaw.com/understanding-criminal-diversion/ Provides client-facing information on Indiana's diversion program process.

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Indianapolis, Indiana Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org Handles fair housing complaints, including cases where criminal record screening has a potential disparate impact.

HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) Phone: 1-800-669-9777 Website: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website: housing4hoosiers.org/links-resources/housing-counseling-services-map/

Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Indiana 211 Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org

Indiana Second Chance Law Information Website: www.expungecriminalrecordindiana.com Provides public-facing explanations of Indiana's expungement waiting periods and eligibility under IC 35-38-9.

Indy.gov — Second Chance Law Website: www.indy.gov/activity/second-chance-law City of Indianapolis resource on Indiana's expungement statute and process.

Indiana Code § 33-39-1-8 — Pretrial Diversion Source: codes.findlaw.com/in/title-33-courts-and-court-officers/in-code-sect-33-39-1-8/ Indiana Code § 35-38-9-1 — Expunging Arrest Records Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-35/article-38/chapter-9/section-35-38-9-1/ IC 35-38-9, Full Chapter — Sealing and Expunging Conviction Records Source: in.gov/ipdc/files/TITLE35_AR38_ch9.pdf Understanding Criminal Diversions in Indiana — HP Indiana Law Blog Source: www.hpindiana.law/blog/understanding-criminal-diversions-in-indiana-a-guide-for-those-accuse d-and-charged-with-crimes/ Understanding Criminal Diversion Programs — McNeely Law LLP Source: www.mcneelylaw.com/understanding-criminal-diversion/ Indiana Second Chance Law: How to Seal Your Record in 2026 Source: www.expungecriminalrecordindiana.com/blog/indiana-second-chance-law-how-to-seal-your-rec ord-in-2026/ Indiana Law Review — Crime Does Not Pay (IU McKinney) Source: mckinneylaw.iu.edu/practice/law-reviews/ilr/pdf/vol50p1051.pdf HUD OGC Guidance on Fair Housing Act and Criminal Records Source: archives.hud.gov Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III Indiana myCase Source: mycase.in.gov

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

A misdemeanor conviction in Indiana is a criminal conviction for an offense classified under Indiana Code as a Class A, Class B, or Class C misdemeanor. While misdemeanors are less serious than felony offenses, they are still criminal convictions that appear in public court records and in criminal background check reports compiled by tenant-screening companies.

Indiana does not have a statewide law that limits private landlords from considering misdemeanor convictions in their rental screening decisions. This means a landlord may review a misdemeanor conviction from any year, weigh it against the applicant's overall profile, and use it as a reason to deny housing — provided they follow FCRA adverse action notice requirements.

However, Indiana's Second Chance Law (IC 35-38-9) provides a meaningful pathway. A person convicted of a Class A, B, or C misdemeanor (excluding certain serious offenses) may petition for expungement after five years from the date of conviction, provided they have no subsequent convictions and all fees and fines have been paid. Once granted, the misdemeanor conviction record is sealed and is no longer accessible to private landlords or consumer reporting agencies.

This makes the five-year waiting period a critical milestone for members with misdemeanor convictions. If five or more years have passed since conviction, expungement eligibility should be assessed before the next housing application. An expunged misdemeanor need not be disclosed to private landlords under IC 35-38-9-10.

Additionally, HUD's longstanding policy discourages PHAs from considering arrest records and encourages individualized assessment of criminal records for federally assisted housing applicants.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Misdemeanor convictions in Indiana occupy a complex middle ground in the tenant-screening landscape. They are criminal convictions that appear in background checks, but they are not automatic bars to housing — and in many cases, they can be legally sealed through Indiana's expungement process. Understanding this landscape enables members and advocates to navigate more effectively.

Indiana misdemeanors are classified in three tiers. A Class A misdemeanor is the most serious (punishable by up to one year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines) and includes offenses such as battery, theft under $750, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. A Class C misdemeanor is the least serious (up to 60 days in jail, up to $500 in fines). These classifications are established under IC 35-50-3.

All misdemeanor convictions are public court records. They appear in background check reports generated by tenant-screening companies and are typically visible to landlords who search criminal records.

Indiana does not have a statewide "ban the box" law for housing, nor does it limit how far back a private landlord may look when reviewing criminal history. A private landlord may legally consider a misdemeanor conviction from 10 or 15 years ago in making a rental decision — unless that conviction has been expunged.

Common screening practices for property management companies include ordering a multi-state criminal background check through services such as TransUnion SmartMove, CoreLogic SafeRent, or similar FCRA-compliant platforms. These platforms return criminal conviction records, including misdemeanors, and the landlord's screening criteria will determine whether a particular conviction triggers a denial.

Indiana Code § 35-38-9-2 provides that a person convicted of a Class A, B, or C misdemeanor may petition for expungement of that conviction five years after the date of conviction, provided that no criminal charges are pending, all fines, fees, and court costs have been paid, and the person has not been convicted of a crime within the five years immediately preceding the petition.

Once a misdemeanor expungement is granted under § 35-38-9-2, the conviction is sealed from public access. Consumer reporting agencies must remove the record from their databases. The expunged conviction cannot be used as the basis for a housing denial, and under IC 35-38-9-10, the individual is not legally required to disclose it in a housing application.

Certain misdemeanors are ineligible for expungement. Convictions for offenses requiring registration as a sex offender under IC 11-8-8 are not expungable. Offenses involving vehicular homicide and certain other aggravated offenses may also be excluded. The full exclusion list is provided in IC 35-38-9-2.

A member with a misdemeanor conviction should: confirm the exact date of conviction from the court record at mycase.in.gov; calculate whether five years have passed; verify all fines, fees, and court costs have been paid; and consult with a legal aid provider or expungement attorney about filing a petition. If the waiting period has not yet passed, the member should be prepared to address the misdemeanor honestly in applications where it is discoverable, provide context, offer documentation of rehabilitation, and target smaller private landlords who conduct individualized review rather than automated screening systems.

Determine how old your misdemeanor conviction is. If five or more years have passed since conviction, evaluate expungement eligibility under IC 35-38-9-2. Contact Indiana Legal Services or a private expungement attorney. If expungement is not yet available, prepare to address the record proactively — gather character references, evidence of community stability, employment history, and any documentation showing change over time. Do not assume all landlords will automatically deny you; smaller independent landlords are often willing to review an individual's full picture.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Misdemeanor sentencing in Indiana is governed by IC 35-50-3 (Class A, B, and C misdemeanors). Indiana Code § 35-38-9-2 governs expungement of misdemeanor conviction records. The relevant provision permits petition for expungement five years after the date of conviction, subject to the following conditions: no criminal charges pending; all fines, fees, and court costs have been paid; no subsequent criminal conviction within the five preceding years.

Certain offenses are excluded from expungement eligibility, including sex offense registration requirements and certain other serious categories enumerated in the statute.

Under IC 35-38-9-10, the restoration of rights upon expungement includes the provision that the person "is not required to disclose" the conviction in any employment or housing application.

This statutory non-disclosure right is directly applicable to housing screening and is an important protection for members seeking to rent.

The expungement petition for a misdemeanor conviction under IC 35-38-9-2 is filed in the court of conviction. The petitioner must pay a filing fee (currently $157 in most Indiana courts, though fees vary), serve the prosecuting attorney, and attach documentation showing satisfaction of all financial obligations. The prosecuting attorney may object within 30 days. If no objection is filed and the petition is facially sufficient, the court must grant the petition. If an objection is filed, the court holds a hearing. Courts have limited discretion to deny a facially sufficient petition — Indiana's expungement statute is designed to be accessible.

Indiana allows a person to petition for expungement of misdemeanor records only once per case — the "one petition per type" rule. This means a practitioner must carefully plan which records to include in a single petition to maximize the benefit.

Where a member has both misdemeanor and felony convictions, the waiting period calculation changes. Under Indiana law, if a person seeks to expunge both misdemeanor and felony convictions in the same petition, the applicable waiting period is the longer of the applicable periods for each offense type — typically eight years from the date of the most recent conviction for Level 6 felonies (or three years for a Level 6/old Class D felony with a more expedited track).

Practitioners must identify all convictions, calculate all applicable waiting periods, and file a comprehensive petition or strategically time individual petitions.

Under the FCRA, a consumer reporting agency may report criminal convictions indefinitely — there is no seven-year limit for criminal convictions under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c(a)(5) (unlike other adverse items). This means a misdemeanor conviction from 20 years ago can lawfully appear in a background check report unless it has been expunged under Indiana law. Once expunged, it is a legally sealed record and should not be reported. If it appears in a report post-expungement, the tenant has FCRA dispute rights under § 1681i.

The landlord who uses the background check report to deny housing must provide an adverse action notice under § 1681m identifying the consumer reporting agency. The tenant then has 60 days to obtain a free copy of the report and dispute inaccuracies.

There is no protected class in federal fair housing law for persons with criminal records per se.

However, HUD's guidance on the application of the Fair Housing Act to criminal record screening — and the underlying legal theory of disparate impact under 42 U.S.C. § 3604 and § 3605 — remain relevant for practitioners. Where a landlord's blanket criminal record policy disproportionately excludes members of a racial minority group, a fair housing challenge based on disparate impact may be viable. The FHCCI in Indiana investigates these types of complaints. The Fair Housing Act's disparate impact standard was affirmed by the U.S.

Supreme Court in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., 576 U.S. 519 (2015).

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana Code § 35-50-3 — Misdemeanor Sentencing (Class A, B, C) Governing statute for Indiana misdemeanor offense classifications and penalties. Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-35/article-50/chapter-3/

expungement five years after conviction for eligible Class A, B, and C misdemeanors. Sets conditions and exclusions. Source: in.gov/ipdc/files/TITLE35_AR38_ch9.pdf Indiana Code § 35-38-9-10 — Non-Disclosure Rights After Expungement Provides that a person whose record is expunged need not disclose the matter in housing or employment applications. Source: IC 35-38-9, in.gov/ipdc/files/TITLE35_AR38_ch9.pdf Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. Governs tenant background check accuracy, adverse action notices, and dispute rights. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3619 Provides a disparate impact cause of action for housing policies that disproportionately affect protected classes based on criminal record screening. Source: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview Texas Dep't of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., 576 U.S.

519 (2015) U.S. Supreme Court affirmation of disparate impact liability under the Fair Housing Act.

Indiana myCase Public Court Records Source: mycase.in.gov

Misdemeanor convictions in Indiana remain in the public court record indefinitely and are reportable in tenant background checks under the FCRA without a time limit. This means a private landlord who orders a background check on an applicant with a misdemeanor conviction will see it unless the record has been expunged under IC 35-38-9-2. Indiana has no statewide housing law limiting lookback periods for private market rental screening.

For federally assisted housing, PHAs are encouraged to conduct individualized assessment rather than blanket criminal record denials. HUD's longstanding policy (including elements retained following the 2025 guidance rescission) discourages automatic denial based on criminal records and prohibits use of arrest records alone.

Once a misdemeanor is expunged under IC 35-38-9-2, it is sealed from public access and must not appear in screening reports. If a sealed record appears, the tenant has FCRA dispute and civil remedy rights.

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Statewide Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Provides free legal assistance, including expungement petition support.

Indiana Legal Help Website: indianalegalhelp.org

Indiana Second Chance Law — Expungement Information Website: www.expungecriminalrecordindiana.com Explains misdemeanor expungement waiting periods and eligibility under IC 35-38-9-2.

Indy.gov — Second Chance Law Resource Website: www.indy.gov/activity/second-chance-law Volunteer Fort Wayne — Indiana Expungement Law Infographic Website: volunteerfortwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/infographic-_indianas_expungement_law_ 0.pdf Visual guide to Indiana expungement waiting periods.

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Indianapolis, Indiana Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Phone: 1-800-669-9777 Website: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website: housing4hoosiers.org/links-resources/housing-counseling-services-map/

Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Indiana 211 Phone: 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org

Indiana Code § 35-50-3 — Misdemeanor Sentencing Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-35/article-50/chapter-3/ IC 35-38-9 — Sealing and Expunging Conviction Records Source: in.gov/ipdc/files/TITLE35_AR38_ch9.pdf Indiana Second Chance Law — 2026 Expungement Guide Source: www.expungecriminalrecordindiana.com/blog/indiana-second-chance-law-how-to-seal-your-rec ord-in-2026/ Indiana Expungement Law Infographic — Volunteer Fort Wayne Source: volunteerfortwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/infographic-_indianas_expungement_law_ 0.pdf Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III Texas Dep't of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, 576 U.S. 519 (2015) HUD Fair Housing and Criminal Records Guidance Source: archives.hud.gov Indiana myCase Source: mycase.in.gov

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana classifies felony offenses into Levels 1 through 6 under IC 35-50-2, with Level 1 being the most serious and Level 6 the least serious. Pre-2014 felony convictions were classified as Class A through Class D. Each level carries different sentencing ranges, and each level has different expungement eligibility rules and waiting periods under Indiana's Second Chance Law.

The fact of a felony conviction, the level of the offense, when the conviction occurred, and whether the conviction is expungeable all affect the housing screening impact. Many landlords — particularly large property management companies and corporate apartment complexes — maintain blanket felony screening policies that automatically disqualify applicants with any felony conviction within a specified lookback period. These policies are currently legal in Indiana's private rental market, though they may be challenged on fair housing grounds in specific circumstances.

Indiana's Second Chance Law (IC 35-38-9) allows expungement of most Level 6 felony (former Class D felony) convictions after three years from the conviction date, and most other felony convictions (Levels 5 through 3) after eight years, subject to conditions. Certain serious felonies — including murder, Level 1 and Level 2 felonies, certain sex offenses, and offenses involving official misconduct — are not expungeable. Once a felony is expunged, the conviction is sealed and may not be used by landlords in the private market.

Indiana's Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program, operated by DMHA and IHCDA, provides a specific pathway for individuals with felony records related to a substance use disorder to access rental housing by offering landlords financial protection through a certificate program.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

A felony conviction represents one of the most challenging housing barriers in Indiana's rental market. Felony records are widely visible in background check reports, many landlords maintain categorical screening policies that exclude applicants with felony records, and federally assisted housing has mandatory exclusion requirements for certain serious offenses. At the same time, Indiana has among the most robust expungement frameworks in the country for addressing felony records, and specific programs exist in Indiana to bridge the gap between felony history and housing access.

Indiana felony classifications are: Level 1 (most serious, carrying 20-50 years); Level 2 (10-30 years); Level 3 (3-16 years); Level 4 (2-12 years); Level 5 (1-6 years); and Level 6 (6 months-2.5 years). Pre-July 2014 convictions were classified as Class A through Class D felonies, with Class D being the equivalent of the current Level 6. IC 35-50-2 governs sentencing for each level.

In the private rental market, a landlord reviewing a background check will see the felony conviction, the offense level and description, the date of conviction, and the sentence imposed.

Most institutional landlords treat Level 1, 2, or 3 felonies as automatic disqualifiers regardless of how long ago they occurred. Level 6 and Level 5 felonies are often treated on a sliding scale that depends on how old the conviction is and what type of offense it was.

Indiana Code § 35-38-9 provides the following expungement pathways for felony convictions.

For a Class D or Level 6 felony conviction, a person may petition three years after the date of conviction, provided no charges are pending, fines and fees are satisfied, and there has been no subsequent conviction. For most Class C, B, and A felony equivalents (Levels 3, 4, and 5), the waiting period is eight years from conviction. For certain serious offenses (Level 1, Level 2, murder, sex offense registration, official misconduct), expungement is not available.

Upon expungement, a felony conviction is sealed from public access and should not appear in background check reports. Under IC 35-38-9-10, the individual is not required to disclose the expunged conviction in a housing application. This is among the most powerful available tools for a person with an Indiana felony record seeking housing.

For individuals who have a felony record related to a substance use disorder (SUD) and are in recovery, Indiana's Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program (LMRP) — administered jointly by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) and IHCDA — offers a practical pathway.

The program issues a certificate to qualifying applicants that "vouches for" them to participating landlords and provides those landlords with a potential financial backstop if rent or damages relate to the tenant's SUD. Eligibility requires: at least one felony with a relationship to prior SUD; no new charges or open warrants for at least 12 months; at least 12 months of consistent employment; at least 12 months of demonstrated treatment and recovery; and maintained good standing with any criminal justice entities.

The certificate is valid for one year and does not provide rental assistance but does provide landlord confidence. It is a meaningful tool for a specific segment of the population — those in SUD recovery with felony records — who are otherwise locked out of the private rental market.

Before applying for new housing, a member with a felony conviction should: determine the exact offense level and conviction date; assess expungement eligibility and waiting period under IC 35-38-9; pay outstanding fines, fees, and court costs; consult with Indiana Legal Services or an expungement attorney about filing; and if ineligible for expungement, identify alternative housing pathways such as the LMRP, reentry housing programs, transitional housing, and smaller private landlords who conduct individualized review.

Know your offense level and conviction date. Assess whether you are eligible for expungement now. If you are not yet eligible, build your stability documentation — employment history, treatment history, community references, and rental payment records from any previous housing. Apply to the Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program if you meet its criteria. Work with reentry housing specialists at Indiana IDOC Re-Entry Services or community organizations to identify landlords open to working with individuals who have felony records.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana felony sentencing is governed by IC 35-50-2. The felony classification system (Levels 1-6) was adopted effective July 1, 2014, under P.L. 158-2013. Pre-2014 convictions retain their original Class A-D classification for purposes of the record, though they are treated analogously to their current-law equivalents for expungement purposes.

Indiana Code § 35-38-9 governs expungement of felony conviction records. The statute provides: § 35-38-9-3 governs expungement of Class D and Level 6 felonies (three-year waiting period); § 35-38-9-4 governs expungement of Class C, B, A felonies and Levels 3, 4, and 5 felonies (eight-year waiting period); § 35-38-9-5 provides a separate framework for certain serious felonies where the prosecuting attorney must consent (effectively creating a higher bar for relief). § 35-38-9-6 governs the effect of an expungement order, requiring all agencies to restrict access to the record.

Certain offenses are permanently ineligible for expungement under IC 35-38-9-7, including: convictions for murder or Level 1 felony; convictions for sex offenses requiring sex offender registration; convictions that resulted in serious bodily injury to another person; and convictions for official misconduct. Practitioners must verify eligibility against the specific conviction before advising clients.

Under IC 35-38-9-5, expungement of a conviction for a felony that is a Level 3, 4, or 5 felony and caused serious bodily injury requires the consent of the prosecuting attorney in the county of conviction, in addition to satisfying the eight-year waiting period and other conditions. This prosecutorial consent requirement adds a barrier for some clients. Where consent is refused and the court finds the refusal arbitrary or capricious, the court may grant expungement over the prosecutor's objection, but this outcome is not guaranteed.

For federally assisted housing — including public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers — PHAs must exclude certain individuals under 42 U.S.C. § 13661 (mandatory denial provisions).

Mandatory exclusions apply to: persons convicted of methamphetamine production on federally assisted premises; persons who are subject to lifetime sex offender registration requirements; and certain individuals currently using illegal drugs. PHAs have additional discretion to consider other felony convictions on a case-by-case basis.

These mandatory exclusions are federal statutory obligations and cannot be waived by the PHA. A person subject to a mandatory exclusion cannot receive a Housing Choice Voucher or be admitted to public housing regardless of rehabilitation. This is distinct from discretionary denials based on other felony types, which are subject to individualized assessment.

HUD's longstanding guidance encourages PHAs to conduct individualized assessment rather than blanket policies for discretionary criminal history denials. PHAs should consider the nature and severity of the offense, the time elapsed, evidence of rehabilitation, and the potential risk to other residents. A practitioner representing a client denied a PHA voucher based on felony history should request the specific basis for denial, assess whether it was a mandatory exclusion or a discretionary decision, and determine whether the individualized assessment standard was applied.

The LMRP (Indiana Code authorizing framework through DMHA/IHCDA) is not a housing guarantee or a voucher program. The certificate does not compel any landlord to accept the applicant. However, it provides two concrete benefits: it signals to a participating landlord that a state agency has reviewed and verified the applicant's recovery, employment, and compliance history; and it provides a financial backstop for rent or damages linked to the applicant's SUD.

Practitioners should help eligible clients apply well before they begin actively searching for housing, as processing time can be significant. Applications are submitted to DMHA's Landlord Mitigation Reserve Team at 402 W. Washington St., Room W353, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or via lmr@fssa.in.gov.

The fair housing analysis for felony record screening policies tracks the analysis described in the Misdemeanor barrier: blanket categorical denial policies for any felony conviction, without individualized assessment, may constitute disparate impact discrimination under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604, against racial minority applicants who are statistically overrepresented in felony conviction rates due to systemic disparities. See Texas Dep't of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, 576 U.S. 519 (2015). The FHCCI in Indiana handles fair housing complaints involving criminal record screening issues.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana Code § 35-50-2 — Felony Sentencing Levels 1-6 Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-35/article-50/chapter-2/ Indiana Code § 35-38-9 — Sealing and Expunging Conviction Records (full chapter) Includes §§

35-38-9-6 (effect of expungement), 35-38-9-7 (ineligible offenses), 35-38-9-10 (non-disclosure rights) Source: in.gov/ipdc/files/TITLE35_AR38_ch9.pdf 42 U.S.C. § 13661 — Mandatory Denial Provisions for Federally Assisted Housing Requires PHAs to exclude certain individuals from public housing and HCV programs. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13661 Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3619 — Disparate Impact Theory Source: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview Indiana Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program — DMHA/IHCDA Source: www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/addiction-services/landlord-mitigation-reserve-program/ Source: www.in.gov/ihcda/program-partners/landlord-mitigation-reserve-program/ Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana — Criminal History Fact Sheet Source: www.fhcci.org/programs/education/criminal-history/ Indiana myCase Public Court Records Source: mycase.in.gov

Felony convictions in Indiana are indefinitely reportable in background checks under the FCRA (no seven-year limit for convictions). Private landlords in Indiana may consider felony convictions in their screening without a legal limit on lookback period or offense type, subject only to the duty to comply with FCRA adverse action notice requirements. Large property management companies often apply blanket felony screening policies; smaller private landlords are more likely to conduct individualized review.

For federally assisted housing, PHAs must apply mandatory exclusions under 42 U.S.C. § 13661 for drug production on federally assisted premises and lifetime sex offender registration.

For other felony types, PHAs have discretion and are encouraged to conduct individualized assessment.

Expungement under IC 35-38-9 is the primary legal tool to remove felony records from screening visibility. Once expunged, the conviction is sealed, must not be reported in consumer reports, and need not be disclosed under IC 35-38-9-10.

The Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program provides a targeted pathway for individuals with SUD-related felony records who are in recovery, offering landlords a financial backstop in exchange for offering housing.

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Statewide Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Indiana Legal Help Website: indianalegalhelp.org

Indiana Second Chance Law — Expungement Information Website: www.expungecriminalrecordindiana.com Indiana IDOC Re-Entry Services Phone: 1-800-457-8283 Website: www.in.gov/idoc/divisions/re-entry/ Provides reentry planning and housing coordination services for individuals leaving Indiana correctional facilities.

Mitigation Reserve Team, 402 W. Washington St., Room W353, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Email: lmr@fssa.in.gov Website: www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/addiction-services/landlord-mitigation-reserve-program/ Certificate program for individuals in SUD recovery with felony records.

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Phone: 1-800-669-9777 Website: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website: housing4hoosiers.org/links-resources/housing-counseling-services-map/

Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Indiana 211 Phone: 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org

Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana — Criminal Justice and Reentry Website: www.voaohin.org/services/criminal-justice-reentry/ Provides residential reentry services and transitional housing support for formerly incarcerated individuals in Indiana.

Indiana Code § 35-50-2 — Felony Sentencing Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-35/article-50/chapter-2/ IC 35-38-9 — Sealing and Expunging Conviction Records Source: in.gov/ipdc/files/TITLE35_AR38_ch9.pdf Indiana Second Chance Law — 2026 Guide Source: www.expungecriminalrecordindiana.com/blog/indiana-second-chance-law-how-to-seal-your-rec ord-in-2026/ Indiana Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program Source: www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/addiction-services/landlord-mitigation-reserve-program/ Source: www.in.gov/ihcda/program-partners/landlord-mitigation-reserve-program/ Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana — Criminal History Source: www.fhcci.org/programs/education/criminal-history/ 42 U.S.C. § 13661 — Mandatory Denial for Federally Assisted Housing Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13661 Volunteer Fort Wayne — Indiana Expungement Law Infographic Source: volunteerfortwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/infographic-_indianas_expungement_law_ 0.pdf Indiana IDOC Re-Entry Services Source: www.in.gov/idoc/divisions/re-entry/ Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana — Reentry Programs Source: www.voaohin.org/services/criminal-justice-reentry/ Indiana myCase Source: mycase.in.gov

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Reentry in Indiana refers to the period of transition from incarceration — whether from an Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) facility, a county jail, or community corrections — back into the community. Housing instability during this period dramatically increases the risk of reincarceration, and finding stable housing is one of the most pressing needs for individuals leaving incarceration.

Formerly incarcerated individuals in Indiana face a convergence of barriers: felony and misdemeanor conviction records visible in background checks; potential parole or probation conditions that restrict where they can live; mandatory sex offender registration residency restrictions if applicable; loss of access to federally assisted housing under certain circumstances; and gaps in rental history and credit history created by the period of incarceration.

Indiana's IDOC Re-Entry Division is the primary state agency supporting this population, providing reentry planning that includes housing coordination, job readiness, and behavioral health services, ideally beginning prior to release. After release, a network of community organizations — including Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, community corrections residential centers, and emergency shelters — provides immediate and transitional housing options.

Parole conditions in Indiana, governed by IC 11-13-3, may restrict where a parolee can live, particularly in relation to school property (if a sex offense is involved), or may require approval of a residence by the parole officer before the individual may reside there. Understanding and complying with these conditions is essential, as a parole violation can result in return to incarceration.

The Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program provides a specific pathway for individuals with SUD-related felony records. Indiana 211 connects formerly incarcerated individuals with local housing and services resources.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

The transition from incarceration to stable housing in Indiana involves navigating multiple overlapping systems simultaneously — the criminal justice supervision system, the housing market, and the social services network. The risk of housing failure during reentry is high, and the consequences of that failure — homelessness, return to criminal activity, and reincarceration — are severe. A structured approach to reentry housing planning, ideally initiated before release, provides the greatest chance of success.

The Indiana Department of Correction Re-Entry Division (www.in.gov/idoc/divisions/re-entry/) provides structured reentry planning for individuals serving sentences in IDOC facilities. This planning ideally begins 90 to 180 days before a projected release date and addresses housing, employment, transportation, identification, and behavioral health services. The Re-Entry Division coordinates with community organizations to identify housing resources in the individual's intended county of return.

Not all formerly incarcerated individuals leave IDOC with a confirmed housing placement. For those who do not, the period immediately following release is particularly precarious.

Parole conditions in Indiana are governed by IC 11-13-3 and the policies of the Indiana Parole Board. Standard parole conditions typically require the parolee to: reside at an approved address; notify the parole agent of any address change; obtain prior approval before changing residence; and avoid residence in locations associated with criminal activity. For sex offenders on parole, additional residential restrictions apply under IC 11-13-3-4, including restrictions on residing within 1,000 feet of school property. A parolee who fails to secure approved housing before release may be required to reside in a community corrections residential center (halfway house) or a transitional housing facility as an approved residence while a permanent housing placement is found. These placements are coordinated through IDOC and county community corrections programs.

Violations of parole housing conditions — including moving without approval or residing at an unapproved address — are parole violations that can result in a return to incarceration.

Compliance with housing conditions is therefore both a legal requirement and a practical necessity during the early reentry period.

In the private rental market, a formerly incarcerated person faces the same criminal record screening barriers described in Barrier 5 (Felonies). The period of incarceration itself does not create a separate, additional barrier beyond the underlying conviction — but the gap in rental history and employment history that incarceration creates does compound the screening challenge. Landlords who evaluate rental history for the preceding three to five years will find little or no traditional rental history for someone who was incarcerated during that period.

Strategies to address the rental history gap include: offering to pay a larger security deposit (if legally permitted and financially possible); providing documentation of institutional residency history (approved housing while on work release, community corrections placements, or IDOC-provided references); obtaining character or reference letters from faith communities, reentry organizations, or employers; and working with reentry housing specialists who maintain relationships with landlords open to reentry applicants.

Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana operates criminal justice and reentry residential programs in Indiana, providing transitional housing, day reporting, and reintegration services for individuals leaving incarceration. Indiana's community corrections system also funds residential centers through county programs that serve as transitional housing placements for individuals

(www.in.gov/idoc/community-corrections/cc-residential-centers/) funds these placements.

The Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program, described in Barrier 5, specifically targets individuals in SUD recovery with felony records — a population that substantially overlaps with the reentry population.

Begin housing planning before release if possible. Contact IDOC Re-Entry Services at 1-800-457-8283. If on parole, understand your housing conditions and do not move without parole agent approval. Use Indiana 211 (dial 2-1-1) to locate local housing resources. If you have a SUD-related felony record and are in recovery, apply to the Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program. Once eligible, pursue expungement of your conviction record under IC 35-38-9. Work with a reentry housing organization to build rental history documentation even while in transitional housing.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana Code Title 11 governs the Indiana Department of Correction, its programs, and supervision of individuals in its custody. IC 11-13-3 governs parole conditions, the Indiana Parole Board, and the legal authority to impose housing-related restrictions. IC 11-13-3-4 specifically addresses parole conditions for sex offenders, including the 1,000-foot school property restriction.

operational framework for parole supervision, including procedures for approving residence locations, monitoring compliance, and responding to violations. This policy document is available through the IDOC website.

For federally assisted housing, the mandatory exclusion provisions at 42 U.S.C. § 13661 apply at the time of application. A formerly incarcerated person applying for a Housing Choice Voucher or public housing must disclose criminal history, and PHAs apply mandatory exclusions and discretionary denials based on that history. The discretionary denial process should involve individualized assessment under HUD's longstanding guidance.

Practitioners working with clients in active parole supervision must understand that housing decisions are not fully within the client's control during this period. A parolee cannot simply choose to rent any apartment — the parole agent must approve the residence. This approval process can take time, create gaps in housing, and in some cases result in the client being unable to secure any approved private rental, forcing placement in a correctional residential center.

Advocates should work proactively with the parole agent assigned to the case, provide documentation of the proposed housing location, and address any supervision-related concerns before the proposed move-in date. If a parole agent refuses to approve a residence without a legitimate supervision-related reason, the decision may be challengeable through the parole system's grievance process.

42 U.S.C. § 13661(b) provides that PHAs shall prohibit admission to public housing or HCV programs of any individual who has been evicted from federally assisted housing within the preceding three years for drug-related criminal activity. This is a time-limited bar — three years — rather than a permanent one. PHAs have discretion to admit the individual if they can demonstrate successful completion of an approved rehabilitation program or the circumstances leading to the eviction no longer exist.

Additionally, 42 U.S.C. § 13661(c) requires denial of admission to individuals "currently engaging" in illegal drug use or who have been convicted of a drug-related crime "for which the individual is currently serving a prison sentence." This does not extend to individuals who have completed their sentence for drug crimes — a critical distinction for the reentry population.

For the reentry population, the immediate focus is on securing housing — often transitional housing — while meeting supervision requirements. The longer-term strategy includes pursuing expungement under IC 35-38-9 once the applicable waiting period has passed. Practitioners should calendar expungement eligibility dates for clients and ensure they pursue record sealing as part of a broader housing stability plan.

Indiana's IDOC Re-Entry Division (1-800-457-8283) is the primary state agency contact.

Practitioners can contact IDOC directly to coordinate housing placement for clients approaching release. The LMRP (lmr@fssa.in.gov) application process should be initiated early for eligible clients. Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana (www.voaohin.org) operates residential reentry programs with housing placement capacity.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana Code Title 11 — Indiana Department of Correction Governs IDOC's authority, programs, and supervision systems. Source: iga.in.gov/laws/2025/ic/titles/11 Indiana Code § 11-13-3 — Parole Conditions Governs Indiana Parole Board authority to impose housing-related and other conditions of parole. Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-11/article-13/chapter-3/ Indiana Code § 11-13-3-4 — Parole Conditions for Sex Offenders Governs 1,000-foot school property restrictions for sex offenders on parole. Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-11/article-13/chapter-3/section-11-13-3-4/ IDOC Policy and Administrative Procedure 03-03-101 — Parole Services Source: in.gov/idoc/files/policy-and-procedure/policies/03-03-101-Parole-Services-6-1-2023.pdf 42 U.S.C. § 13661 — Mandatory Denial Provisions for Federally Assisted Housing Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13661 Indiana Code § 35-38-9 — Sealing and Expunging Conviction Records Source: in.gov/ipdc/files/TITLE35_AR38_ch9.pdf Indiana Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program — DMHA/IHCDA Source: www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/addiction-services/landlord-mitigation-reserve-program/

Formerly incarcerated individuals in Indiana face criminal conviction records visible in background checks, gaps in rental and employment history created by incarceration, and active parole or probation housing conditions that restrict housing choices. PHAs apply mandatory and discretionary criminal record denials under federal law, and private landlords may use felony and misdemeanor conviction records without lookback limitations in Indiana's private market.

The key distinctions for screening purposes are: whether convictions are expungeable and whether the waiting period has run; whether mandatory federal housing exclusions apply; and whether parole or probation conditions restrict available housing choices.

Transitional housing and reentry programs provide immediate post-release housing outside the private rental market, buying time for the individual to build rental history, meet supervision conditions, and pursue expungement.

Indiana Department of Correction Re-Entry Division (IDOC) Statewide Phone: 1-800-457-8283 Text: 1-888-311-1846 Website: www.in.gov/idoc/divisions/re-entry/ Provides pre-release planning, housing coordination, job readiness, and reentry services for IDOC-supervised individuals.

Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana — Reentry Programs Statewide/Indiana Website: www.voaohin.org/services/criminal-justice-reentry/ Provides residential reentry housing, transitional housing, day reporting, and reintegration support for formerly incarcerated individuals in Indiana.

IDOC Community Corrections Residential Centers Website: www.in.gov/idoc/community-corrections/cc-residential-centers/ County-operated residential centers funded through state grants; serve as transitional housing placements for individuals on parole or probation.

Mitigation Reserve Team, 402 W. Washington St., Room W353, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Email: lmr@fssa.in.gov Website: www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/addiction-services/landlord-mitigation-reserve-program/ Indiana Recovery Network Website: indianarecoverynetwork.org/resources/resources-home/ Maintains resource listings for the LMRP and other recovery housing programs.

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Indiana Legal Help Website: indianalegalhelp.org

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org

Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Indiana 211 Phone: 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org

Indiana Code Title 11 — Indiana Department of Correction Source: iga.in.gov/laws/2025/ic/titles/11 Indiana Code § 11-13-3 — Parole Conditions Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-11/article-13/chapter-3/ IDOC Policy 03-03-101 — Parole Services Source: in.gov/idoc/files/policy-and-procedure/policies/03-03-101-Parole-Services-6-1-2023.pdf 42 U.S.C. § 13661 — Mandatory Denial for Federally Assisted Housing Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13661 Indiana Landlord Mitigation Reserve Program Source: www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/addiction-services/landlord-mitigation-reserve-program/ Source: www.in.gov/ihcda/program-partners/landlord-mitigation-reserve-program/ IDOC Re-Entry Services Source: www.in.gov/idoc/divisions/re-entry/ Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana — Reentry Source: www.voaohin.org/services/criminal-justice-reentry/ IDOC Community Corrections Residential Centers Source: www.in.gov/idoc/community-corrections/cc-residential-centers/ IC 35-38-9 — Expungement Source: in.gov/ipdc/files/TITLE35_AR38_ch9.pdf National Reentry Resource Center — Indiana Parolees Find Success Source: nationalreentryresourcecenter.org ews/indiana-parolees-find-success-employment-after-prison

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana's sex offender registration system is governed by IC 11-8-8, commonly known as the Sex and Violent Offender Registration Act. Individuals convicted of qualifying sex offenses are required to register with the county sheriff, maintain current information, and comply with registration conditions for a period ranging from 10 years to lifetime registration, depending on the offense.

Indiana Code § 35-42-4-11 — commonly called Zachary's Law — establishes residency restrictions for registered sex offenders. The law prohibits individuals who have been adjudicated as sexually violent predators, or who have been convicted of certain enumerated offenses against children (including child molesting, sexual misconduct with a minor, and similar offenses), from residing within 1,000 feet of school property. The restriction does not apply to post-secondary educational institution property.

Beyond the state statute, many Indiana municipalities and counties have enacted local ordinances that add additional proximity restrictions — commonly prohibiting registered sex offenders from residing within 500 to 1,000 feet of parks, playgrounds, daycare centers, and other facilities used by children. These local ordinances vary by city and county and must be checked individually. The town of Crothersville, Indiana, for example, prohibits residing within 500 feet of various protected locations under its municipal code.

In the private housing market, landlords in Indiana may legally refuse to rent to registered sex offenders. There is no fair housing protection based on sex offender status. Many private landlords include sex offender registry status as an automatic screening disqualifier in their policies.

For federally assisted housing, PHAs are required to deny housing to individuals subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement under 42 U.S.C. § 13663.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Sex offender registry status is among the most challenging housing barriers in Indiana's rental landscape. Indiana law imposes explicit geographic restrictions on where certain registrants may live, local ordinances add additional location-based restrictions, federal law bars lifetime registrants from federally assisted housing, and the private rental market broadly treats registry status as an automatic disqualifier. Navigation requires a thorough understanding of which legal restrictions apply to the specific individual, careful geographic mapping before committing to a housing location, and a realistic assessment of where available private market housing can be found.

Indiana's Registration System: IC 11-8-8 Indiana Code § 11-8-8 establishes the Sex and Violent Offender Registration Act (SVORA). The statute defines who must register, the registration procedure, the duration of registration, and the consequences of non-compliance. Qualifying offenses are listed at IC 11-8-8-4.5 (offenses requiring sex offender registration) and IC 11-8-8-5 (offenses requiring violent offender registration). Registration periods range from 10 years (for certain lower-tier offenses) to lifetime registration (for sexually violent predators and certain serious offenders). Lifetime registration is particularly significant because it triggers both the most restrictive residency conditions and the mandatory federal housing bar.

Individuals must register with the sheriff of the county where they reside, within three days of establishing a new address. Moving to a new address without proper registration notification is a criminal offense.

Zachary's Law: IC 35-42-4-11 Indiana Code § 35-42-4-11, commonly referred to as Zachary's Law, prohibits certain registrants from residing within 1,000 feet of school property (excluding post-secondary institutions). The restriction applies to individuals who: are registered sex or violent offenders under IC 11-8-8; and have been adjudicated as sexually violent predators, or have been convicted of specific enumerated offenses including child molesting (IC 35-42-4-3) and sexual misconduct with a minor (IC 35-42-4-9), among others.

Violations of § 35-42-4-11 constitute a Level 6 felony, escalating to a Level 5 felony if the violation continues and the person is adjudicated a sexually violent predator. The "1,000 feet from school property" restriction requires careful geographic measurement before selecting any housing. In densely populated urban areas, the exclusion zones created by this statute can severely restrict available housing.

Indiana municipalities may enact local ordinances that create additional residency restrictions beyond the state statute. Local ordinances have established proximity restrictions to parks, playgrounds, daycare centers, libraries, and other facilities used by children. These restrictions vary by city and county and are not codified in any single centralized source — they must be checked individually by municipality. Individuals should contact the sheriff's office in their intended county of residence to inquire about applicable local restrictions before committing to an address.

Under 42 U.S.C. § 13663, PHAs must deny admission to federally assisted housing — including public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers — to any individual subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement under state law. This is a mandatory, non-discretionary denial.

Indiana registrants with lifetime registration requirements cannot receive a federal housing voucher or reside in public housing, regardless of time elapsed since conviction, rehabilitation, or other circumstances. This bar applies at both the PHA application stage and throughout the tenancy.

In the private rental market, there is no protected class status for registered sex offenders. A private landlord may include sex offender registry status as a screening criterion and deny housing on that basis. Many landlords in Indiana include this as an automatic disqualifier in their written screening policies. Some smaller private landlords, particularly those who manage single-family rental homes rather than large apartment complexes, may be more willing to consider an application on its individual merits — particularly where the conviction was older, the registration is for a limited term rather than lifetime, and the applicant can demonstrate a stable record of community supervision compliance.

Determine your specific registration category — whether you are subject to a 10-year registration period or lifetime registration — and whether you have been formally adjudicated as a sexually violent predator. This classification determines what legal restrictions apply to your housing. Before committing to any housing location, measure the distance from proposed residence to the nearest school property. Contact the county sheriff in your intended county of residence to ask about any local ordinance restrictions. Contact IDOC Re-Entry Services if you are recently released. Be transparent with a housing specialist or legal aid provider about your registration status so they can accurately identify available housing options.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Advanced Legal and Practitioner Analysis: Sex Offender Registry and Housing in Indiana

Indiana's sex offender registration system is governed by IC 11-8-8 (Sex and Violent Offender Registration Act). Registration requirements are triggered by conviction of qualifying offenses under IC 11-8-8-4.5 (sex offenses requiring registration) and IC 11-8-8-5 (violent offenses requiring registration). Indiana Code § 11-8-8-19 governs the duration of registration: a 10-year registration period applies to most qualifying misdemeanor offenses and some lower-tier felonies; lifetime registration applies to individuals adjudicated as sexually violent predators under IC 35-38-1-7.5, and to individuals convicted of certain enumerated serious offenses.

The residency restriction statute, IC 35-42-4-11, was enacted as part of the broader framework known as Zachary's Law, named for a victim of a sex offense. The statute prohibits qualifying registrants from residing within 1,000 feet of school property (excluding post-secondary educational institutions). Violation is a Level 6 felony, escalating to Level 5 if the person is a sexually violent predator and the violation continues. IC § 35-42-4-11 applies specifically to those who: (1) are registered sex or violent offenders under IC 11-8-8; and (2) have been adjudicated as sexually violent predators; or convicted of enumerated offenses against children.

Indiana House Bill 1124 (2025 legislative session) proposed additional restrictions for offenders against children who are required to register for life. Practitioners should monitor current legislative status, as Indiana's registration and residency restriction framework continues to evolve.

The federal mandatory bar for federally assisted housing is found at 42 U.S.C. § 13663, which requires every PHA to prohibit admission to any program if any household member is subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement under state law. This is a non-waivable, non-discretionary requirement. It applies regardless of the age of the conviction, the nature of the underlying offense beyond the registration requirement, the individual's rehabilitation history, or any other mitigating factor.

PHAs have the obligation under 24 C.F.R. § 960.204 (public housing) and 24 C.F.R. § 982.553 (HCV program) to screen for lifetime sex offender status and deny admission if the requirement is found. These regulations implement the statutory bar. Practitioners challenging a PHA denial based on sex offender status bear a very high burden — the federal statutory requirement does not provide discretion.

Indiana municipalities have broad authority to enact ordinances beyond the state's 1,000-foot school property restriction. Local ordinances may restrict proximity to daycare centers, parks, playgrounds, youth recreational facilities, libraries, bus stops used by minors, and similar locations. The scope and geographic extent of restrictions vary significantly by municipality.

Practitioners working with registrant clients must obtain the full local ordinance text for each municipality under consideration and perform geographic measurement — many Indiana sheriff's offices can assist with this mapping.

Indiana courts have addressed challenges to sex offender residency restrictions. The Indiana Supreme Court has recognized that while registration and residency restriction statutes are regulatory in nature — not additional criminal punishment — their application may in some cases raise constitutional concerns, particularly regarding retroactive application to individuals convicted before a particular statute was enacted (ex post facto considerations). Practitioners should evaluate whether the specific restriction being applied to a client involves a statute enacted after the date of conviction, as this may present an ex post facto challenge under Article 1, Section 24 of the Indiana Constitution.

For practitioners working with registrant clients seeking housing: first, confirm the exact registration category and any sexually violent predator adjudication. Second, map the proposed housing location against the 1,000-foot school property restriction under § 35-42-4-11. Third, research the specific municipality's local ordinances for additional restrictions. Fourth, assess federal bar applicability based on whether lifetime registration is required. Fifth, for clients with limited registration periods (10-year) who have served significant time and demonstrated rehabilitation, explore private market options through smaller landlords and reentry housing networks. Sixth, consult with criminal defense or civil rights counsel if constitutional challenges to specific restrictions are warranted.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana Code § 11-8-8 — Sex and Violent Offender Registration Act (SVORA) Governs registration requirements, qualifying offenses, registration periods, and procedures. Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-11/article-8/chapter-8/ Indiana Code § 35-42-4-11 — Sex Offender Residency Restrictions (Zachary's Law) Prohibits qualifying registrants from residing within 1,000 feet of school property. Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-35/article-42/chapter-4/section-35-42-4-11/ Indiana Code § 35-38-1-7.5 — Sexually Violent Predator Adjudication Governs the adjudication process for sexually violent predator classification. Source: iga.in.gov Indiana Code § 11-13-3-4 — Parole Conditions for Sex Offenders Addresses parole housing conditions related to sex offender registration, including the 1,000-foot school property restriction for parolees. Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-11/article-13/chapter-3/section-11-13-3-4/ 42 U.S.C. § 13663 — Mandatory Denial of Federally Assisted Housing for Lifetime Sex Offenders Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13663 24 C.F.R. § 960.204 — Public Housing Admission Standards 24 C.F.R. § 982.553 — HCV

Indiana Code § 11-8-8-4.5 and § 11-8-8-5 — Qualifying Offenses for Registration Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-11/article-8/chapter-8/ Indiana House Bill 1124 (2025) — Additional Residency Restrictions for Offenders Against Children Source: iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1124

Indiana Sex Offender Registry — Indiana Department of Correction / Sheriff's Offices Source: www.in.gov — maintained and accessible through county sheriff offices statewide

Sex offender registry status creates the most severe and legally prescribed housing barriers in Indiana's rental landscape. State law imposes geographic exclusion zones through IC 35-42-4-11 (1,000 feet from school property for qualifying registrants). Local ordinances add additional location-based restrictions that vary by municipality. Federal law mandates denial of all federally assisted housing for lifetime registrants under 42 U.S.C. § 13663. Private landlords may lawfully use registry status as an automatic screening disqualifier with no fair housing protection for the registrant.

The severity of the housing barrier depends on: the specific registration category (10-year versus lifetime); whether the individual has been adjudicated as a sexually violent predator; which municipality's housing market is being navigated; and the density of the target area, which determines how much housing is actually available within legal zones.

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Statewide Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Keffer Hirschauer LLP Indianapolis, Indiana Phone: Not listed — contact through website Website: www.indyjustice.com/blog/indiana-sex-offender-restrictions/ Provides public-facing information on Indiana sex offender registration and restriction laws. Private firm.

Rigney Law LLC Indianapolis, Indiana Website: www.rigneylawindy.com/understanding-sex-offender-restrictions/ Provides information on sex offender restriction compliance. Private firm.

Indiana Department of Correction Re-Entry Division Phone: 1-800-457-8283 Website: www.in.gov/idoc/divisions/re-entry/ Indiana 211 Phone: 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org Connects to local housing resources; note that placement options are more limited for registrants.

Note: Federal law prohibits PHAs from providing Housing Choice Vouchers or public housing to individuals subject to lifetime sex offender registration requirements. Individuals subject to 10-year registration (not lifetime) may be considered by PHAs on a discretionary basis.

Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/

Indiana Code § 11-8-8 — Sex and Violent Offender Registration Act Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-11/article-8/chapter-8/ Indiana Code § 35-42-4-11 — Zachary's Law Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-35/article-42/chapter-4/section-35-42-4-11/ 42 U.S.C. § 13663 — Mandatory Denial for Lifetime Sex Offenders (Federally Assisted Housing) Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13663 Indiana Code § 11-13-3-4 — Parole Conditions for Sex Offenders Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-11/article-13/chapter-3/section-11-13-3-4/ Indiana House Bill 1124 (2025) Source: iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1124 Allen County Sheriff — Overview of Zachary's Law Source: www.allencountysheriff.org/overview-of-zacharys-law/ Keffer Hirschauer LLP — Indiana Sex Offender Laws FAQ Source: www.indyjustice.com/blog/indiana-sex-offender-laws/ Grant County Sheriff — Residency Restrictions Notice Source: www.facebook.com/GrantCountySheriff/posts/-registry-reminder-saturday-residency-restrictions- you-should-know-indiana-law-p/ Crothersville, Indiana Municipal Code — Proximity Restrictions Source: codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/crothersville/ Indiana IDOC Re-Entry Services Source: www.in.gov/idoc/divisions/re-entry/

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a federal liquidation process governed by 11 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. It allows individuals to discharge most unsecured debts — including credit card balances, medical debt, and personal loans — through a process that typically takes three to six months from filing to discharge. The bankruptcy is filed in one of Indiana's two federal bankruptcy courts: the Northern District of Indiana (based in South Bend and Fort Wayne) or the Southern District of Indiana (based in Indianapolis, Evansville, and other locations). A Chapter 7 discharge eliminates the legal obligation to pay most discharged debts, but the bankruptcy filing itself becomes part of the individual's credit report and is visible to any landlord who orders a credit check or background check during the rental application process. Under the FCRA, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be reported on a credit report for up to 10 years from the date of filing. This is one of the longest-lasting adverse credit items under federal law.

The housing impact varies significantly by landlord type. Large institutional property managers and corporate apartment complexes often use automated screening criteria that treat any bankruptcy within a defined lookback period — commonly five to seven years — as an automatic disqualifier. Smaller private landlords, individual property owners, and owner-managed rentals are more likely to review the application holistically, considering factors like current income, current employment stability, the reason for the bankruptcy, and the amount of time that has passed since discharge.

No Indiana state law specifically protects individuals with bankruptcy records from housing discrimination. The FCRA governs adverse action notice requirements when a credit report is used in a rental decision.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a significant financial event that reshapes a person's credit profile for years. For renters in Indiana, the bankruptcy filing creates a visible credit record that many landlords encounter during the tenant screening process. Understanding how this record appears, how long it lasts, and how different types of landlords respond to it allows members to approach housing applications more strategically.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy, filed under 11 U.S.C. §§ 701-784, is a federal process in which the bankruptcy trustee reviews and liquidates the debtor's non-exempt assets (if any) and distributes the proceeds to creditors, after which the debtor receives a discharge of most qualifying debts. For most individual consumer Chapter 7 cases in Indiana, the process results in a "no-asset" case — meaning there are few or no non-exempt assets to liquidate — and a discharge is granted within three to four months.

Upon filing, the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case becomes part of the public court record in the filing federal court (Northern or Southern District of Indiana). It also appears on the debtor's credit report, typically within weeks of filing, as a public record entry. The credit report will show: the date of filing; the case chapter; the discharge date (typically three to six months after filing); and the disposition (discharged, dismissed, or converted). Individual discharged debts that were included in the bankruptcy will be noted as discharged in bankruptcy on the credit report.

Under the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681c(a)(1), a completed Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be reported for up to 10 years from the date of filing. This is the longest reporting period for any item under the FCRA.

Indiana has no state law restricting a private landlord's ability to consider bankruptcy history in rental screening. A landlord may legally order a credit report, see the bankruptcy, and use it as a reason to deny an application, as long as they comply with FCRA adverse action notice requirements.

In practice, landlord responses to bankruptcy records vary. Institutional property managers often apply a fixed lookback policy — for example, denying any application with a bankruptcy within the past three, five, or seven years. These policies are embedded in automated screening systems and may not involve human review. Some management companies will deny any application that falls below a specific credit score threshold; a Chapter 7 bankruptcy generally lowers a credit score significantly (often by 130-200 points or more), which may trigger a credit-score-based denial independent of any explicit bankruptcy policy.

Smaller private landlords who manage their own properties are more likely to conduct a conversation with the applicant, ask about the circumstances of the bankruptcy, review the applicant's current income and stability, and make a case-by-case determination. Demonstrating post-discharge financial stability, a consistent income source, and a rational explanation for the bankruptcy (medical crisis, job loss, divorce) can be persuasive with this type of landlord.

A critical bankruptcy rule relevant to rental housing is the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362.

When a Chapter 7 petition is filed, the automatic stay immediately halts most collection actions against the debtor, including eviction proceedings. However, this stay is limited in the eviction context: if the landlord has already obtained a final judgment of possession (i.e., an eviction order) before the bankruptcy is filed, the automatic stay does not halt enforcement of that judgment under 11 U.S.C. § 362(b)(22). Only if the debtor files a certification with the court and pays past-due rent within 30 days can the stay remain effective in that specific circumstance.

This is a nuanced bankruptcy-eviction intersection that practitioners must understand carefully.

Once the Chapter 7 discharge is granted, the debtor is legally free of the discharged debts and has no ongoing financial exposure from them. This is actually an important talking point with a prospective landlord: a recently discharged Chapter 7 debtor has no outstanding consumer debts that could compete with rent obligations, and their financial slate has been legally reset.

Landlords willing to consider this perspective may be more open to a recently discharged applicant than to an applicant who has significant unresolved debt.

Practical strategies for housing navigation after Chapter 7 discharge include: targeting private, individual landlords rather than corporate apartment complexes; offering a higher security deposit (subject to Indiana's security deposit rules under IC 32-31-3) as additional assurance; providing documentation of current income and employment stability; and obtaining a reference from a previous landlord if available.

Obtain a copy of your Chapter 7 discharge order and keep it accessible. Review your credit report at annualcreditreport.com to understand what information appears and how it is being presented. Begin rebuilding credit through a secured credit card or credit-builder loan. When applying for housing, identify private individual landlords who conduct individualized review.

Prepare a brief, honest written explanation of the circumstances leading to the bankruptcy and your current financial stability. Contact Indiana 211 or a HUD-approved housing counseling agency for assistance navigating housing options.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Advanced Legal and Practitioner Analysis: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Housing in Indiana

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is governed by 11 U.S.C. §§ 701-784. The automatic stay is established by 11 U.S.C. § 362, which halts all collection actions including eviction proceedings upon filing — subject to the exceptions described at § 362(b)(22) for cases where the landlord holds a pre-petition judgment of possession.

The discharge is granted under 11 U.S.C. § 727, which discharges the debtor from personal liability for most pre-petition debts. Non-dischargeable debts are listed at 11 U.S.C. § 523 and include certain tax debts, student loans, domestic support obligations, and debts arising from fraud. Understanding which debts were and were not discharged is relevant to a landlord's credit assessment.

Indiana's bankruptcy cases are filed in either the Northern District of Indiana (serving the northern portion of the state, with court offices in South Bend and Fort Wayne) or the Southern District of Indiana (serving the southern and central portions of the state, including Indianapolis, Evansville, and Terre Haute). The applicable district for a debtor is determined by the county of domicile.

The Chapter 7 means test under 11 U.S.C. § 707(b) applies to higher-income filers. If a debtor's income is below the Indiana median income for their household size, they are exempt from the means test and may file Chapter 7 without further income analysis. If income exceeds the median, a calculation determines whether "abuse" of Chapter 7 would result, and if so, the case may be dismissed or converted to Chapter 13. Current Indiana median income figures are updated periodically by the U.S. Trustee Program.

Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c(a)(1), a Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be reported for 10 years from the date of filing. This is the applicable rule regardless of the date of discharge. Individual tradelines (accounts) included in the bankruptcy follow a different rule — they are typically removed from the credit report seven years from the original date of delinquency (which typically predates the bankruptcy filing).

When a landlord uses a credit report containing a bankruptcy to deny a rental application, the landlord must comply with FCRA adverse action notice requirements under § 1681m, providing the applicant with: the name of the consumer reporting agency; notice of the right to a free copy of the report; and notice of the right to dispute. These obligations apply whether the denial is based on the bankruptcy entry directly or on a credit score that was lowered by the bankruptcy.

Practitioners advising housing clients post-discharge should note that a Chapter 7 discharge creates a genuinely debt-free financial position for most discharged debts. This is legally documentable through the discharge order and the court's case docket. Practitioners can help clients prepare a one-page financial summary showing: pre-bankruptcy debt load; discharge date; current income; current monthly budget; and any post-discharge credit building activity.

This document is not required by any law, but it is a practical tool in discussions with prospective landlords who are willing to conduct individualized review.

Indiana's two bankruptcy courts are accessible through their respective websites: Northern District at www.innb.uscourts.gov (South Bend, Fort Wayne) and Southern District at www.insb.uscourts.gov (Indianapolis, Evansville). Case information is available through PACER at www.pacer.gov. Legal aid resources for bankruptcy issues in Indiana include Indiana Legal Services, which handles consumer law cases.

Bankruptcy is not a mandatory exclusion ground for public housing or HCV programs under federal law. PHAs do not have a legal requirement to deny housing based on bankruptcy.

However, PHAs assess financial fitness and may consider outstanding debts — particularly debts to prior landlords or housing authorities — as part of their eligibility determination. A bankruptcy that discharged a debt to a prior landlord or housing authority may actually work in the applicant's favor by demonstrating that the debt is legally resolved.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

11 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. — Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Liquidation Federal governing statute for Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/chapter-7 11 U.S.C. § 362 — Automatic Stay Halts collection actions including eviction proceedings upon bankruptcy filing; exceptions for post-judgment evictions at § 362(b)(22). Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/362 11 U.S.C. § 727 — Discharge in Chapter 7 Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/727 11 U.S.C. § 523 — Exceptions to Discharge Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/523 11 U.S.C. § 707(b) — Means Test Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/707 Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681c(a)(1) — 10-Year Reporting Period for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681m — Adverse Action Notice Requirements Source: same U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Northern District of Indiana Source: www.innb.uscourts.gov U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Indiana Source: www.insb.uscourts.gov Indiana Bankruptcy Means Test Information Source: www.indianabankruptcy.com/means-test/

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing appears on a credit report for up to 10 years from the date of filing under the FCRA. It is visible to all landlords who order a credit check and is also accessible through the public federal court record via PACER. Indiana does not have a state law limiting how private landlords may use bankruptcy history in rental screening. Large institutional landlords often apply automated criteria that deny applications with recent bankruptcies within a fixed lookback period. Credit score impacts from bankruptcy can trigger credit-score-based denials separate from any explicit bankruptcy policy.

PHAs are not required by federal law to deny housing based on bankruptcy. A bankruptcy is not a mandatory exclusion ground under 42 U.S.C. § 13661. However, outstanding debts to prior landlords, housing authorities, or federal programs may still affect PHA eligibility.

The most effective post-discharge strategy for housing access in Indiana is targeting smaller private landlords who conduct individualized review, demonstrating post-discharge financial stability, and leveraging the debt-free status that discharge creates.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Northern District of Indiana South Bend: 401 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: (574) 968-2265 Fort Wayne: 1300 South Harrison Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Website: www.innb.uscourts.gov U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Indiana Indianapolis: 46 East Ohio Street, Suite 116, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Evansville: 352 Federal Building, 101 NW Martin Luther King Jr.

Blvd., Evansville, IN 47708 Phone: (812) 434-6470 (Evansville) Website: www.insb.uscourts.gov

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Statewide Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Handles consumer law including bankruptcy-adjacent housing disputes.

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website: housing4hoosiers.org/links-resources/housing-counseling-services-map/ CFPB — Find a Housing Counselor Website: www.consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor/

AnnualCreditReport.com Website: annualcreditreport.com Free annual credit reports from all three bureaus.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Phone: 1-855-411-2372 Website: www.consumerfinance.gov Accepts complaints about FCRA adverse action violations and credit reporting errors.

Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Indiana 211 Phone: 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org

11 U.S.C. Chapter 7 — Bankruptcy Code (Liquidation) Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/chapter-7 11 U.S.C. § 362 — Automatic Stay Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/362 Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681c(a)(1) Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Northern District of Indiana Source: www.innb.uscourts.gov U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Indiana Source: www.insb.uscourts.gov Indiana Bankruptcy Means Test Source: www.indianabankruptcy.com/means-test/ Lynch & Belch Bankruptcy Blog — Chapter 7 and Rental Housing (2025) Source: www.lynchandbelchbankruptcy.com/blog/2025/08/how-does-chapter-7-affect-your-ability-to-rent- or-lease-property/ Ginsburg Law Group — Apartment Approval After Chapter 7 (2026) Source: ginsburglawgroup.com/2026/02/how-to-get-approved-for-an-apartment-after-chapter-7-bankrupt cy/ U.S. Courts — Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Basics Source: www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-7-bankruptcy-basics CFPB — Tenant Screening and Adverse Action Source: www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-should-i-do-if-my-rental-application-is-denied-because -of-a-tenant-screening-report-en-2105/

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a federal reorganization process governed by 11 U.S.C. §§ 1301-1330. Rather than liquidating assets and discharging debts as in Chapter 7, Chapter 13 allows debtors to reorganize their debts and repay them over a three-to-five-year repayment plan under the supervision of a bankruptcy trustee. Upon successful completion of the plan, remaining qualifying debts are discharged.

The key distinction from Chapter 7 for housing purposes is that Chapter 13 is an ongoing, active case lasting three to five years. A debtor in active Chapter 13 has a credit record showing an open bankruptcy filing — visible to landlords who order a credit check. Under the FCRA, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be reported for seven years from the date of filing.

For a person seeking new rental housing during an active Chapter 13 case, the primary considerations are: the bankruptcy case is visible on the credit report; signing a new lease creates a new financial obligation, and depending on how it affects the debtor's budget, it may require amendment of the repayment plan or, in some cases, court notification; and the landlord's screening policies may disqualify open bankruptcies.

For a person who completed Chapter 13 and received a discharge, the bankruptcy remains on the credit report for seven years from the date of filing, but the debtor has a clean financial record going forward. This is a shorter credit report visibility window than Chapter 7's 10-year period, which is often cited as an advantage of Chapter 13 for individuals with longer-term credit recovery goals.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy presents a different housing barrier profile than Chapter 7. In Chapter 7, the primary challenge is navigating the credit report impact after the case is resolved. In Chapter 13, the challenge is twofold: the bankruptcy filing is visible on the credit report throughout the three-to-five-year plan period, creating a live screening obstacle during active housing applications; and entering into new financial obligations — like a new lease — during the active case has legal implications that must be managed carefully with the bankruptcy court and trustee.

Chapter 13 cases are filed in the same courts as Chapter 7 — either the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana (South Bend, Fort Wayne) or the Southern District of Indiana (Indianapolis, Evansville). The applicable district is determined by the debtor's county of domicile. The Chapter 13 trustee in each district oversees the debtor's repayment plan, reviews income and expenses, and monitors compliance.

The repayment plan period in Chapter 13 is either three years (for debtors below the median income) or five years (for debtors at or above the median income). During this period, the debtor must make regular plan payments to the trustee, who distributes funds to creditors according to the confirmed plan. Any significant change in income or expenses — including taking on a new rental obligation — may require amendment of the plan and, in some cases, court approval.

Like Chapter 7, a Chapter 13 filing triggers the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362, halting collection actions including eviction proceedings. For tenants in active Chapter 13 who are facing eviction proceedings, the stay provides immediate — though not permanent — protection. As in Chapter 7, the stay exception for post-judgment evictions under § 362(b)(22) applies, meaning the stay does not halt enforcement of a landlord's pre-petition final judgment of possession.

However, Chapter 13 offers one significant advantage over Chapter 7 for tenants facing eviction: Chapter 13 allows a debtor to cure mortgage arrears (and in some circumstances residential lease arrears) through the repayment plan. If a tenant was evicted or faces eviction due to nonpayment of rent, filing Chapter 13 and curing the arrearage through the plan may allow the tenant to remain in the unit — though this strategy requires immediate legal counsel and must be executed with care.

As with Chapter 7, Indiana has no state law restricting a private landlord's ability to consider an active Chapter 13 filing in rental screening. The bankruptcy filing is visible on the credit report and in public federal court records via PACER. Institutional landlords with automated screening systems may disqualify applicants with any open bankruptcy — active Chapter 13 will typically trigger this disqualification.

Smaller private landlords who review applications individually may take a more nuanced view. A debtor in an active, on-time Chapter 13 plan is demonstrating financial responsibility by making consistent monthly payments to the trustee. This can be presented positively — the debtor is repaying debts, living within a court-supervised budget, and demonstrating discipline. A letter from the bankruptcy attorney explaining the status of the case, the debtor's plan compliance history, and the projected completion date can be a useful supplement to the housing application.

Once a Chapter 13 plan is completed and the discharge is granted, the individual has the same debt-free status as a Chapter 7 discharge recipient — but with the benefit of a shorter seven-year credit report visibility period from the date of filing. At plan completion, the debtor should: obtain the discharge order; request updated credit reports from all three bureaus to confirm discharged accounts are correctly marked; and begin rebuilding credit through responsible use of secured credit products.

If you are in an active Chapter 13 case and need housing, consult with your bankruptcy attorney before signing a new lease — understand whether the new rent obligation affects your plan budget and whether court notification is needed. Be prepared to be transparent about the open bankruptcy with prospective landlords who conduct individualized review. If the case is completed and discharged, follow the same post-discharge housing navigation strategy described for Chapter 7. Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency for budget counseling and housing navigation support.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Advanced Legal and Practitioner Analysis: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and Housing in Indiana

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is governed by 11 U.S.C. §§ 1301-1330. The reorganization plan is confirmed under § 1325, which requires the plan to be proposed in good faith, meet the best-interest-of-creditors test, and comply with applicable commitment period requirements. The automatic stay is governed by § 362, with relevant exceptions at § 362(b)(22) for post-judgment eviction orders.

The discharge in Chapter 13 is granted under 11 U.S.C. § 1328 upon completion of all plan payments. Section 1328 provides a broader discharge than Chapter 7 in some respects — certain debts that survive Chapter 7 discharge, like long-term marital debt under § 523(a)(15), may be dischargeable in Chapter 13 if addressed in the plan.

Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c(a)(9), a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing may be reported on a credit report for seven years from the date of filing. This contrasts with the 10-year window for Chapter 7. For individuals who complete their Chapter 13 plan and receive a discharge, this shorter reporting period can be meaningfully better for long-term credit and housing access. A Chapter 13 filed in January 2022 and completed in 2027 would fall off the credit report in January 2029 — providing a cleaner credit profile from that point forward.

Entering into a new residential lease during an active Chapter 13 case creates a new ongoing financial obligation. Under 11 U.S.C. § 1305, the bankruptcy estate in Chapter 13 may include post-petition consumer debt incurred for personal expenses. While a residential lease does not automatically require court approval in every circumstance, it is a significant change to the debtor's financial situation that may affect plan feasibility. If the new rent obligation reduces the debtor's monthly disposable income below the amount committed to the plan, a plan modification petition may be required under § 1329. Practitioners should advise clients to consult with their bankruptcy attorney before executing a new lease.

Under 11 U.S.C. § 365, unexpired leases (including residential leases) are treated as executory contracts in bankruptcy. In Chapter 13, the debtor may assume (continue) or reject (terminate) an unexpired residential lease. Assumption requires curing any existing default and providing adequate assurance of future performance. Rejection effectively terminates the lease but creates a general unsecured claim for the landlord, which may be addressed through the plan.

This mechanism is primarily relevant when the Chapter 13 filing arises in the context of an existing tenancy facing eviction, not when the debtor is seeking new housing.

The same adverse action notice requirements under FCRA § 1681m apply when a landlord uses a credit report showing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy to deny a rental application. The landlord must provide: the name of the consumer reporting agency; notice of the right to a free copy of the report; and notice of the right to dispute. Practitioners representing clients denied housing based on a Chapter 13 bankruptcy should ensure the adverse action notice was properly provided and consider whether the denial process complied with FCRA requirements.

Practitioners working with housing-insecure clients in active Chapter 13 cases should: advise clients to inform their bankruptcy attorney about any new housing application before executing a lease; prepare documentation showing plan payment compliance history, which demonstrates financial responsibility; connect clients with HUD-approved housing counselors who understand the bankruptcy-housing intersection; and target private individual landlords for housing applications during the active case period. For clients who have completed Chapter 13, calculate the date the bankruptcy will drop off the credit report and help them plan their housing strategy around that timeline.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

11 U.S.C. §§ 1301-1330 — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/chapter-13 11 U.S.C. § 362 — Automatic Stay; § 362(b)(22) Exception for Post-Judgment Evictions Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/362 11 U.S.C. § 365 — Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases (Lease Assumption/Rejection) Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/365 11 U.S.C. § 1325 — Plan Confirmation Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1325 11 U.S.C. § 1328 — Discharge in Chapter 13 Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1328 11 U.S.C. § 1329 — Modification of Plan After Confirmation Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1329 Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681c(a)(9) — Seven-Year Reporting Period for Chapter 13 Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Northern District of Indiana Source: www.innb.uscourts.gov U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Indiana Source: www.insb.uscourts.gov

An active Chapter 13 case is visible on the credit report throughout the three-to-five-year plan period and accessible through the public federal court record via PACER. Institutional landlords with automated screening criteria will typically disqualify any applicant with an open bankruptcy.

Smaller private landlords may consider the case in context — particularly if the debtor demonstrates consistent plan payment compliance. A completed Chapter 13 discharge removes current debt obligations and is reportable for seven years from the date of filing (shorter than Chapter 7's 10-year window).

PHAs are not required to deny housing based on Chapter 13 bankruptcy under federal law.

PHAs assess financial fitness and outstanding housing-related debts. An open Chapter 13 case that addresses prior housing debts through the plan may actually be viewed positively by a PHA, as it demonstrates a structured effort to resolve past obligations.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Northern District of Indiana South Bend: 401 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: (574) 968-2265 Website: www.innb.uscourts.gov U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Indiana Indianapolis: 46 East Ohio Street, Suite 116, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Website: www.insb.uscourts.gov

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Statewide Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website: housing4hoosiers.org/links-resources/housing-counseling-services-map/ CFPB — Find a Housing Counselor Website: www.consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor/

AnnualCreditReport.com Website: annualcreditreport.com Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Phone: 1-855-411-2372 Website: www.consumerfinance.gov

Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Indiana 211 Phone: 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org

11 U.S.C. Chapter 13 — Bankruptcy Code Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/chapter-13 11 U.S.C. § 362 — Automatic Stay Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/362 Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681c(a)(9) Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Northern District of Indiana Source: www.innb.uscourts.gov U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Southern District of Indiana Source: www.insb.uscourts.gov Indiana Bankruptcy Means Test Source: www.indianabankruptcy.com/means-test/ GFR Law — Automatic Stay and Lease Evictions Source: www.gfrlaw.com/what-we-do/insights/automatic-stay-applies-even-though-landlord-terminated-le ase-bankruptcy CFPB Housing Counselor Locator Source: www.consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor/

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

A low credit score is among the most common housing barriers in Indiana's rental market. Credit scores — most commonly FICO scores — are generated based on information in a consumer's credit report, including payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, credit mix, and new credit inquiries. Low scores can result from medical debt, missed payments, collections, civil judgments, charge-offs, or prior bankruptcies.

Landlords in Indiana routinely order credit reports as part of the tenant application process. Most large apartment complexes and property management companies have minimum credit score requirements, commonly ranging from 580 to 650 or higher, depending on the property. An applicant who falls below the threshold may be automatically denied regardless of other positive factors.

Indiana has no statewide law that limits a private landlord's ability to use credit scores in rental screening, restricts the minimum credit score requirements landlords may set, or provides specific protections for applicants with low credit. However, the FCRA requires landlords who deny applications based on a credit report to provide an adverse action notice — including the name of the credit reporting agency and notice of the applicant's right to a free copy and the right to dispute.

For members with low credit, the navigation strategy involves: understanding what is on the credit report; disputing inaccurate items; reducing outstanding balances where possible; targeting landlords who do not use automated credit scoring thresholds; and using compensating factors such as a co-signer, larger security deposit, or proof of consistent income.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Credit is one of the primary screening tools used by Indiana landlords and property management companies in tenant selection. A low credit score or a credit report showing significant negative history can be a major barrier even when an applicant has sufficient income and a stable background in other respects. Understanding how credit works in the rental screening context, what rights tenants have, and what practical steps can improve access to housing is essential for members navigating this barrier.

When a landlord orders a tenant screening report, the report typically includes a credit report or credit-based score, criminal background check, and eviction history. The credit component reflects information compiled by Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, synthesized into a numerical score. The most common scoring models are FICO Score and VantageScore. Scores generally range from 300 to 850; scores above 670 are widely considered "good," while scores below 580 are considered "poor." Negative items that commonly lower credit scores include: collections accounts (including medical debt); late payments (30, 60, or 90+ days late); charge-offs; civil money judgments; repossessions; bankruptcy filings; and high credit utilization ratios. Medical debt, in particular, has historically been a significant driver of low credit scores in Indiana, a state with significant uninsured and underinsured populations. Recent changes to credit reporting practices — including the removal of medical collections under $500 from credit reports under CFPB guidance (effective 2025) — have improved the credit picture for some Indiana residents.

Indiana has no statewide housing law that: limits the minimum credit score a landlord may require; prohibits credit-based denials; or requires landlords to conduct individualized assessment when credit is a factor in a denial. The private rental market in Indiana operates under the federal FCRA and general fair housing law, without additional state credit screening restrictions.

Under the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681m, when a landlord uses information from a consumer report — including a credit report — to deny a rental application, the landlord must provide the adverse action notice described above. This gives the applicant the right to obtain a free copy of the report and to dispute inaccurate information.

Under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3619, if a landlord's credit score policy has a disparate impact on members of a protected class — for example, if minimum credit score requirements disproportionately exclude Hispanic or Black applicants who have lower average credit scores due to systemic financial barriers — a fair housing challenge based on disparate impact may be viable in some cases.

Many low credit scores are partly attributable to errors in the credit report. Common errors include: accounts that do not belong to the consumer (mixed files, identity theft); outdated negative information that should have been removed (seven-year rule for most items); duplicate entries; incorrect account status or balance; and medical collections that have since been resolved. Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681i, a consumer has the right to dispute any inaccurate or incomplete item in their credit report. The consumer reporting agency must investigate and respond within 30 days (45 days in some circumstances). If the disputed item is inaccurate, it must be corrected or removed.

Before applying for housing, every member with a low credit score should obtain their free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com, review them for errors, and file disputes for any inaccurate or outdated information.

Where a low credit score cannot be immediately corrected, the following strategies can improve housing access in Indiana's private rental market. First, target smaller private landlords who conduct individualized review and who may weigh income stability, rental history references, and character above a numerical credit score. Second, offer additional financial assurance: Indiana law (IC 32-31-3) limits security deposits to not more than the equivalent of three months' rent, but a landlord and tenant may negotiate within that limit, and a landlord may view a higher deposit offer as reducing financial risk. Third, provide a co-signer who has strong credit and income, which provides the landlord with an additional layer of recourse if rent goes unpaid.

Fourth, prepare a clear income documentation package — pay stubs, employer letters, bank statements, or tax returns — showing consistent income well above the rent amount. Fifth, provide written references from prior landlords or other reliable community sources.

Obtain your credit reports for free at annualcreditreport.com. Review each report for errors and dispute any inaccurate items directly with the credit bureau. Identify and pay or settle the most recent negative items where possible. Consider a secured credit card or credit-builder loan to begin demonstrating positive payment history. Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency for personalized credit repair and housing navigation guidance. Prepare a complete application package before approaching any landlord — income documents, references, and a brief explanation of your credit situation.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., is the primary federal law governing credit reporting and tenant screening. Key provisions include: § 1681e(b) (consumer reporting agencies must follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy); § 1681i (consumer right to dispute inaccurate information; 30-day investigation requirement); § 1681c (obsolescence rules for adverse items, including the seven-year rule for most negative items); § 1681m (adverse action notice requirements for landlords using consumer reports); and §§ 1681n and 1681o (civil liability for willful and negligent noncompliance).

Under § 1681c, most negative items — including late payments, collections, charge-offs, and civil judgments — must be removed from the credit report after seven years from the original date of delinquency. Bankruptcies are subject to longer periods (seven years for Chapter 13, 10 years for Chapter 7). These are maximum reporting periods — items may be removed earlier if the underlying data is corrected or the account is updated.

In January 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a rule removing medical debt from credit reports, effective for medical collections under $500. The rule prevents credit reporting agencies from including medical debt information in consumer reports for certain thresholds. The impact on Indiana residents with medical debt contributing to low credit scores is meaningful, particularly in rural areas and communities with high rates of uninsured patients.

Practitioners advising clients with medical-debt-driven low scores should determine whether the CFPB rule has removed those items from current credit reports.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Credit score requirements are facially neutral but may have a disparate impact on protected classes — particularly racial minorities — who have lower average credit scores due to systemic and historical inequalities in access to credit. Under the FHA's disparate impact standard, affirmed in Texas Dep't of Housing and Community Affairs v.

Inclusive Communities Project, 576 U.S. 519 (2015), a neutral policy that creates a statistically significant disparate impact on a protected class may be unlawful unless the landlord can demonstrate it is necessary to serve a legitimate business need and no less discriminatory alternative exists.

Practitioners representing clients denied housing based on credit should evaluate: (1) the specifics of the landlord's credit policy; (2) whether the policy creates a demonstrable disparate impact on a protected class in the relevant rental market; and (3) whether the landlord offers an alternative pathway or individualized assessment for applicants who fall below the credit threshold. The FHCCI in Indianapolis can advise on fair housing complaint processes.

Under IC 32-31-3-12, Indiana limits a landlord's ability to charge a security deposit for a rental unit to an amount not exceeding the equivalent of three months' periodic rent. For weekly rentals, the limit is three weeks' rent. This statutory cap applies to all private market rentals in Indiana and limits the extent to which a landlord can require a larger deposit as a compensating factor for low credit. However, within this cap, a landlord and tenant may negotiate the deposit amount, and many landlords set deposits at one or two months' rent by default, leaving room for a low-credit applicant to offer up to the statutory maximum.

HUD-approved housing counseling agencies provide financial counseling, credit repair guidance, and housing navigation assistance at low or no cost. These agencies are trained in FCRA dispute processes and can help clients develop personalized plans to improve their credit profile and access housing. Indiana has multiple HUD-approved agencies listed in the CFPB counselor locator and mapped at housing4hoosiers.org.

For practitioners working with low-credit clients seeking housing in Indiana: (1) pull all three credit reports and review for errors; (2) file disputes for any inaccurate, outdated, or non-belonging items; (3) identify the primary drivers of the low score and determine which are addressable; (4) assess whether the CFPB medical debt rule has removed any applicable items; (5) evaluate whether any specific denial involved a fair housing concern; (6) counsel clients on compensating strategies for the private market; and (7) refer to HUD-approved housing counseling for longer-term credit recovery planning.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. Governs credit reporting accuracy, consumer dispute rights, adverse action notice requirements, and consumer reporting agency obligations. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III 15 U.S.C. § 1681c — Obsolescence Rules (Seven-Year Rule for Negative Items) Source: same 15 U.S.C. § 1681i — Consumer Right to Dispute Source: same 15 U.S.C. § 1681m — Adverse Action Notice Requirements Source: same CFPB Medical Debt Rule (2025) — Removal of Qualifying Medical Collections from Credit Reports Source: www.consumerfinance.gov Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3619 — Disparate Impact Theory Source: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview Texas Dep't of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., 576 U.S.

519 (2015) Indiana Code § 32-31-3-12 — Security Deposit Cap (Three Months' Rent Maximum) Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-31/chapter-3/

Low credit scores appear directly in tenant-screening reports ordered by landlords. Indiana has no statewide law limiting private landlords' use of credit scores or establishing minimum eligibility protections for applicants with low credit. Institutional landlords apply automated minimum credit score thresholds; private individual landlords may conduct more individualized review.

Negative credit items are reportable under FCRA for seven years from the original delinquency date (most items) or 10 years (Chapter 7 bankruptcy). Items reported in error may be disputed and, if inaccurate, must be removed or corrected. The 2025 CFPB medical debt rule removed qualifying medical collections from credit reports for some Indiana residents.

For federally assisted housing, PHAs do not typically use credit scores as a primary screening criterion. They focus on rental payment history, criminal history, and compliance with prior program requirements.

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website:

housing counseling agencies throughout Indiana. Counselors provide credit counseling, housing navigation, and FCRA dispute guidance.

CFPB — Find a Housing Counselor Website: www.consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor/

AnnualCreditReport.com Website: annualcreditreport.com Free annual credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Phone: 1-855-411-2372 Website: www.consumerfinance.gov Accepts complaints about FCRA violations, incorrect credit reporting, and adverse action notice failures.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Website: www.ftc.gov Enforces the FCRA and provides consumer guides on credit report disputes.

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Statewide Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Handles consumer law cases, including credit report disputes affecting housing.

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org Investigates fair housing complaints, including potential disparate impact claims from credit screening policies.

HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) Phone: 1-800-669-9777 Website: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Indiana 211 Phone: 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org

Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-41/subchapter-III CFPB — Tenant Screening Reports and Consumer Rights Source: www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-should-i-do-if-my-rental-application-is-denied-because -of-a-tenant-screening-report-en-2105/ CFPB Medical Debt Rule (2025) Source: www.consumerfinance.gov FTC — Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need to Know Source: www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/using-consumer-reports-what-landlords-need-know Indiana Code § 32-31-3-12 — Security Deposit Cap Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-31/chapter-3/ Fair Housing Act — Disparate Impact, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3619 Source: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview Texas Dep't of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, 576 U.S. 519 (2015) Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Services Map Source: housing4hoosiers.org/links-resources/housing-counseling-services-map/ FHCCI — Tenant Screening Protections Fact Sheet Source: www.fhcci.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FactSheet16_TenantScreeningProtections.pdf AnnualCreditReport.com Source: annualcreditreport.com

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Low income creates a housing barrier in Indiana at multiple levels. At the application level, private landlords routinely require applicants to demonstrate monthly income of two to three times the monthly rent — a standard the landlord applies to ensure the tenant can afford the obligation. An applicant whose income falls below this threshold may be denied even if their credit and rental history are otherwise acceptable.

At the market level, Indiana's affordable housing shortage is severe. Indiana has some of the lowest rates of affordable housing availability in the Midwest, and housing cost burden — defined as paying more than 30 percent of income on housing — affects a significant portion of the state's renter population, particularly in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and other urban areas.

Indiana has no statewide "source of income" discrimination law that prohibits landlords from refusing to accept Housing Choice Vouchers or other rental subsidies in the private market.

Some Indiana municipalities may have local protections, but statewide, private landlords can legally decline applicants who use housing vouchers, which compounds the challenge for low-income residents who do obtain voucher assistance.

The primary tools available for low-income renters in Indiana are: subsidized affordable housing through IHCDA and HUD programs; Housing Choice Vouchers administered by local PHAs;

income-restricted housing developments funded through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana's housing market presents particular challenges for low-income renters. A combination of rising rents, a shortage of affordable units, the absence of statewide source-of-income protections, and limited funding for rental assistance programs creates a housing environment where income can be a fundamental barrier to private market rental housing. Navigating this environment requires understanding both the legal framework and the practical landscape of available assistance.

Indiana has consistently been identified as having some of the worst affordable housing availability in the Midwest. Research from Indiana University's Policy Institute and advocacy data from Prosperity Indiana document high rates of housing cost burden for low-income Hoosiers — meaning a significant percentage of low-income renters are paying more than 30 to 50 percent of their income on housing, leaving little room for other essential expenses. This shortage is particularly acute in Indianapolis, but it affects smaller Indiana cities and rural communities as well.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach report, published annually, tracks what hourly wage a full-time worker must earn to afford a modest rental without cost burden in each state. Indiana consistently shows that minimum-wage workers cannot afford fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in most Indiana metropolitan areas without housing assistance.

Private landlords in Indiana routinely apply income-to-rent ratios as screening criteria. The most common standard is that a tenant's gross monthly income must equal at least two to three times the monthly rent. This standard is legal under Indiana law and is not subject to a state override. A landlord may set their income requirement as a firm threshold. An applicant who earns less than the required ratio may be denied regardless of their rental history, references, or other positive attributes.

There is no Indiana state law that requires landlords to provide a hardship exception, accept housing vouchers, or consider income sources beyond traditional employment. This is one of Indiana's most significant housing access gaps for low-income residents.

Indiana does not have a statewide source of income (SOI) discrimination law. This means private landlords in the open market are legally permitted to refuse to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program, decline applicants who would pay rent with vouchers or other subsidies, and reject applications from recipients of TANF, SSI, Social Security, or other non-employment income.

Indiana HB 1578 (2025 legislative session) was proposed as legislation that would add source of income, military active duty status, and other categories to Indiana's fair housing statute.

Practitioners and advocates should monitor this bill's current status. As of the date of this Atlas, Indiana does not have a statewide SOI protection.

Some local Indiana governments have considered or enacted limited source of income protections. Members should check local ordinances in the city or county where they are seeking housing to determine whether any local SOI protection applies.

for low-income renters. The Housing Choice Voucher program (discussed in Barrier 12) provides rental subsidies for qualifying households, with vouchers administered through local

or medium-term rental assistance through local subgrantees. The Housing Choice Opportunities (HCO) program and Healthy Homes Resource Program address specific housing needs within IHCDA's broader portfolio.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments — income-restricted affordable housing financed through federal and state tax credits, administered by IHCDA — provide rental units with rents set at a percentage of area median income (AMI). These units are available to households that qualify based on income, and rents are set at levels affordable to 30, 50, or 60 percent AMI households. Indiana has a searchable database of affordable housing units at www.indianahousingnow.org.

If your income does not meet private market requirements, the following steps can help. First, apply for a Housing Choice Voucher through your local PHA — understanding that wait times can be long. Second, search Indiana Housing Now (www.indianahousingnow.org) for income-restricted LIHTC units near you. Third, contact Indiana 211 (2-1-1) for emergency rental assistance and to locate local programs. Fourth, contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency for one-on-one assistance in identifying housing resources. Fifth, consider income pooling with household members — if multiple adults contribute to income, the combined household income may meet landlord ratios. Sixth, in the private market, target areas with lower rents relative to your income, and consider co-signers or guarantors if your income is borderline.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana's fair housing statute is found at IC 22-9.5 — the Indiana Civil Rights Law's housing chapter. The statute prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin — tracking the federal Fair Housing Act's protected classes. Indiana's state fair housing law does not include source of income as a protected characteristic. This means that private landlords may legally refuse to accept Housing Choice Vouchers, Section 8 assistance, Social Security income, SSI, or other non-employment income sources without violating Indiana's fair housing law.

Indiana HB 1578 (2025 legislative session) proposed adding source of income, military active duty status, and sexual orientation to the state's fair housing statute. The current legislative status of this bill should be verified. If enacted, it would meaningfully change the landscape for low-income renters and voucher holders in Indiana's private rental market.

Under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3619, source of income is not a federally protected characteristic. As a result, there is no federal prohibition on a landlord refusing to accept Housing Choice Vouchers in the private market (except where a local ordinance creates such a requirement). This is a gap in the federal-state protection framework that affects an estimated 4.7 million voucher-holding households nationally.

For members who do obtain Housing Choice Vouchers, the relevant legal framework is discussed in depth in Barrier 12.

HOME Investment Partnerships, and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.

These federal programs fund the creation, rehabilitation, and operation of affordable rental

rental subsidies to qualifying households through local nonprofit subgrantees. TBRA is distinct from the Housing Choice Voucher program — it is administered through local community organizations rather than PHAs, and availability varies by county and funding cycle.

The LIHTC program is the primary mechanism for creating affordable rental housing in Indiana.

IHCDA allocates federal and state tax credits to developers of income-restricted rental housing, requiring that units be made available to households earning below specified AMI thresholds.

The Indiana Housing Now portal (www.indianahousingnow.org) maintains a searchable database of LIHTC and other affordable housing units statewide. Practitioners should direct low-income clients to this resource as a primary housing search tool.

While source of income is not a protected class, disability is. For low-income individuals whose income is primarily from SSI, SSDI, or other disability-related benefits, a landlord policy that treats disability-based income (such as SSDI payments) differently from employment-based income may in some circumstances constitute disability discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. Practitioners should evaluate whether a client's income source is tied to disability status and whether differential treatment of that income source has a discriminatory basis.

Indiana has operated multiple emergency rental assistance programs through IHCDA, using funding from federal allocations under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

While ERAP funding from the COVID-19 emergency era has been substantially exhausted, IHCDA continues to administer ongoing rental assistance programs through the HOME TBRA and related programs. Indiana 211 maintains a current database of available local rental assistance programs.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Indiana Civil Rights Law — IC 22-9.5 (Indiana Fair Housing) Prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin. Does not include source of income as a protected characteristic as of June 2026. Source: iga.in.gov/laws/2025/ic/titles/22 Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3619 Federal fair housing protections. Does not include source of income as a protected characteristic at the federal level. Source: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview Indiana HB 1578 (2025) — Proposed Addition of Source of Income to Indiana Fair Housing Law Source: www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1784128 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program — Indiana Administration by IHCDA Source: www.in.gov/ihcda/ HOME Investment Partnerships Program — IHCDA Source: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) — IHCDA Source: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Indiana Code § 32-31-3-12 — Security Deposit Cap Source: law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-31/chapter-3/ National Low Income Housing Coalition — Out of Reach Report (Indiana) Source: www.nlihc.org/oor Indiana University Policy Institute — Housing Affordability in Indiana Source: policyinstitute.iu.edu

Low income creates a direct screening barrier in Indiana's private rental market because landlords may legally set income-to-rent ratio requirements (commonly 2:1 or 3:1 gross monthly income to rent) with no state law limiting this practice. Indiana has no statewide source of income protection law, meaning landlords may also reject applicants who would pay rent with vouchers, Social Security, SSDI, or other non-employment income.

For income-restricted housing (LIHTC and similar programs), income qualification is an eligibility criterion rather than a barrier — applicants must have income below the applicable AMI threshold to qualify for income-restricted units.

PHAs are required to determine eligibility for Housing Choice Voucher programs based on income (at or below 50 percent AMI) and other criteria, and to conduct annual income recertification for voucher holders.

Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/ Administers statewide affordable housing programs, LIHTC, HOME TBRA, and Housing Choice Opportunities programs.

Indiana Housing Now Website: www.indianahousingnow.org Searchable database of available affordable housing units statewide. Phone: 1-877-428-8844 (toll free, Mon–Fri 8 am–7 pm Central) Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org Housing Authority of South Bend Website: www.hasbonline.com/housing-choice-voucher Affordable Housing Online — Indiana Open Waiting Lists Website: affordablehousingonline.com/open-section-8-waiting-lists/Indiana Tracks open and upcoming HCV waiting lists by Indiana PHA.

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website: housing4hoosiers.org/links-resources/housing-counseling-services-map/ CFPB — Find a Housing Counselor Website: www.consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor/

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Indiana Legal Help Website: indianalegalhelp.org

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Phone: 1-800-669-9777 Website: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

Indiana 211 Phone: 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Text: ZIP code to 898-211 Website: www.in211.org Connects Indiana residents with current local rental assistance programs, emergency shelter, and housing resources 24/7.

HUD Indiana — Rental Assistance Programs Website: www.hud.gov/states/indiana

Indiana Civil Rights Law, IC 22-9.5 Source: iga.in.gov/laws/2025/ic/titles/22 Indiana HB 1578 (2025) — Source of Income Protection Proposal Source: www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1784128 IHCDA — Homeowners and Renters Programs Source: www.in.gov/ihcda/homeowners-and-renters/ Indiana Housing Now Source: www.indianahousingnow.org NLIHC — Out of Reach Report Source: www.nlihc.org/oor Prosperity Indiana — Indiana Housing Affordability Data Source: www.prosperityindiana.org Affordable Housing Online — Indiana Open Waiting Lists Source: affordablehousingonline.com/open-section-8-waiting-lists/Indiana Indiana 211 Source: www.in.gov/fssa/indiana-211/ HUD Indiana Source: www.hud.gov/states/indiana PRRAC — Appendix B: State, Local, and Federal Source of Income Discrimination Laws Source: www.prrac.org/pdf/AppendixB.pdf

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program — commonly known as Section 8 — is a federal rental assistance program administered locally by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). HUD provides funding to PHAs, which in turn issue vouchers to qualifying low-income families, elderly individuals, and persons with disabilities. Voucher holders use the voucher to help pay rent in private market housing of their choosing, with the PHA paying a subsidy directly to the landlord and the tenant paying the difference between the subsidy and the actual rent.

In Indiana, the HCV program is administered through approximately 79 PHAs statewide, each covering a specific jurisdiction. IHCDA administers a statewide program for areas not covered by a local PHA. The Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) administers the program in Marion County. Most PHAs maintain waiting lists for vouchers, and waiting times can range from months to years depending on the PHA.

Indiana does not have a statewide source of income discrimination law, meaning private landlords in the open market are not legally required to accept Housing Choice Vouchers. This creates a significant structural barrier for voucher holders in Indiana — even after the lengthy process of qualifying for and receiving a voucher, finding a landlord willing to participate can be extremely difficult, particularly in desirable neighborhoods and rental markets.

Once a voucher is issued, the holder typically has 60 to 90 days to locate a qualifying unit, with possible extensions granted by the PHA. If no qualifying unit is found within the search period, the voucher may expire and the holder may be returned to the waiting list.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Understanding the Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher Program as a Housing Barrier in Indiana The Housing Choice Voucher program is the federal government's largest rental assistance initiative, helping low-income families, elderly individuals, and persons with disabilities afford housing in the private rental market. In Indiana, the program is administered by a network of local PHAs but faces two primary barriers: high demand and limited voucher availability create long waiting periods, and Indiana's lack of source of income protections means voucher holders encounter widespread landlord refusal even after receiving a voucher.

HUD funds the HCV program and sets payment standard guidelines. Indiana's approximately 79 PHAs receive annual allocations and administer their local programs, including eligibility determinations, waiting list management, voucher issuance, and ongoing landlord and participant compliance. IHCDA serves as a statewide PHA for jurisdictions not covered by a local authority and maintains statewide affordable housing information at www.indianahousingnow.org.

The Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) is the largest single PHA in Indiana, serving Marion County. As of July 2025, IHA temporarily paused processing of new HCV applications — a significant development that practitioners and members should verify directly with IHA at www.indyhousing.org for current status. Other PHAs across Indiana have their own waiting list

currently have open waiting lists. Eligibility for the HCV program is determined by household income (generally at or below 50 percent of the area median income), family composition, and compliance with prior program requirements. PHAs are required under federal law to give preference to families living in substandard housing, involuntarily displaced families, and families paying more than 50 percent of income on rent. Criminal history may also affect eligibility (see the discussion below).

Once a voucher is issued, the holder has a defined search period — typically 60 days — to locate a qualifying housing unit. If the unit is not found within that period, the PHA may grant extensions. Extensions are available where the PHA determines good cause exists — for example, where voucher holders face discrimination, limited housing supply, or other barriers.

Members who are struggling to find a unit should proactively contact their PHA before the voucher expiration date to request an extension and document their search efforts.

Indiana Housing Now (www.indianahousingnow.org) maintains a searchable database of housing units available to voucher holders statewide. This is the primary resource for voucher holders searching for participating units in Indiana.

Indiana's failure to enact a source of income discrimination law means that landlords throughout the state may legally decline to accept Housing Choice Vouchers. Research has documented widespread reluctance among Indiana landlords to participate in the HCV program, due to concerns about PHA inspection requirements, payment process, and the administrative burden of program participation.

This creates a deeply inequitable situation: a family may wait years for a voucher, receive one, and then be unable to use it because no willing landlord exists in their target neighborhood. The cumulative effect is that voucher holders are often concentrated in lower-income neighborhoods with fewer amenities and higher crime rates — not because they chose to live there, but because those are the areas where landlords are willing to participate in the program.

Indiana HB 1578 (2025), if enacted, would add source of income to Indiana's fair housing statute, requiring landlords to accept vouchers and other lawful income sources. Monitoring this legislation's current status is important for advocates and practitioners.

As discussed in Barriers 5 and 6, PHAs are required to deny HCV assistance to individuals subject to lifetime sex offender registration requirements (42 U.S.C. § 13663) and individuals convicted of methamphetamine production on federally assisted premises (42 U.S.C. § 13661(b)(1)). Beyond these mandatory exclusions, PHAs retain discretion to deny applicants based on other criminal history, though they are encouraged to conduct individualized assessment.

PHAs are prohibited from denying assistance based solely on arrest records without conviction

Program resulting in dismissed charges should be presented to a PHA as a no-conviction record.

If you are on a waiting list, maintain your current address and contact information with the PHA — missing a notification can result in removal from the list. Once you receive a voucher, begin your housing search immediately and document every contact with landlords. Use Indiana Housing Now to find participating units. If you are having difficulty finding a unit, contact your PHA caseworker before the voucher expires to request an extension. If a landlord refused you because of your voucher status, document the refusal — while Indiana law does not currently prohibit this, documentation may support future advocacy. Contact the FHCCI or Indiana Legal Services if you believe a denial involved discrimination based on a protected class.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

The Housing Choice Voucher program is authorized under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 1437f. HUD's implementing regulations are found at 24 C.F.R. Part 982. PHAs are required to comply with HUD's program requirements, including eligibility determinations, payment standards, Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections, and participant and landlord obligations.

Under 24 C.F.R. § 982.552, PHAs have the authority — but not the obligation — to deny program admission for a range of criminal history and program compliance reasons beyond the

(ACOPs) that describe their discretionary denial criteria. Practitioners representing clients denied HCV assistance should request a copy of the relevant PHA's ACOP and determine whether the denial was based on a mandatory exclusion or a discretionary policy, and whether the discretionary policy was applied consistently with HUD's individualized assessment guidance.

HUD requires PHAs to set payment standards — the maximum subsidy amount for a given unit size in a given geographic area — based on Fair Market Rents (FMRs) established annually by HUD. If a unit's gross rent exceeds 110 percent of the payment standard, the tenant may be required to pay more than 30 percent of income on rent (a phenomenon known as "high rent burden"). If a unit's gross rent exceeds 40 percent of the payment standard, the tenant generally cannot be approved for that unit. In Indiana's rising rental market, FMRs may in some areas lag behind actual market rents, reducing the inventory of units accessible to voucher holders.

PHAs must also confirm that the rent for a unit is "reasonable" — not exceeding what the same unit would rent for in the open market without assistance. HUD's rent reasonableness requirement prevents landlords from inflating rents for voucher-subsidized units.

Before a voucher can be used in a unit, the unit must pass an HQS inspection confirming it meets minimum federal habitability standards. Units must be structurally sound, have functioning heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, and meet basic safety requirements.

Landlords who refuse to make necessary repairs to pass inspection, or units in substandard condition, are not eligible for the HCV program. This inspection requirement, while designed to protect tenants, is sometimes cited by landlords as a reason for not participating in the program.

Indiana HB 1578 (2025) proposed adding source of income, military active duty status, and sexual orientation to Indiana's fair housing statute. If enacted, it would prohibit landlords from refusing to accept housing vouchers or other lawful income sources as a basis for denying housing. Practitioners should verify current legislative status and communicate legislative developments to housing advocacy partners. In the absence of state law, local ordinances in some Indiana municipalities may provide limited SOI protections — advocates should check Indianapolis, Bloomington, and other progressive municipalities for local ordinance development.

When a PHA denies HCV assistance, the applicant has the right to request an informal review or hearing to challenge the denial. Under 24 C.F.R. § 982.554, PHAs must give applicants written notice of denial, including the grounds, and must inform them of the right to request an informal review within the timeframe specified in the ACOP. Practitioners representing clients denied HCV assistance should immediately review the denial notice, assess the legal basis, and file a timely appeal if any ground for challenge exists.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C. § 1437f Federal authorization for the Housing Choice Voucher program. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1437f HUD Regulations for HCV Program — 24 C.F.R. Part 982 Source: www.ecfr.gov 42 U.S.C. § 13661 — Mandatory Denial Provisions for Federally Assisted Housing Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13661 42 U.S.C. § 13663 — Mandatory Denial for Lifetime Sex Offenders Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13663 Indiana Civil Rights Law, IC 22-9.5 — No Statewide SOI Protection Source: iga.in.gov/laws/2025/ic/titles/22 Indiana HB 1578 (2025) — Proposed SOI Protection Source: www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1784128 HUD Notice PIH 2015-19 — Exclusion of Arrest Records (Status: Rescinded in part by 2025 HUD Notice) Source: HUD.gov HUD — Housing Choice Voucher Program Overview Source: www.hud.gov/helping-americans/housing-choice-vouchers-tenants Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) — HCV Program Source: www.in.gov/ihcda/homeowners-and-renters/

Section 8 / HCV participants in Indiana face a dual barrier: the shortage of available vouchers means long wait times before assistance is received, and the absence of a statewide source of income discrimination law means private landlords may legally refuse to accept vouchers once received. The result is that many Indiana voucher holders are unable to use their assistance in the private market of their choice, limiting their options to landlords who voluntarily participate — often concentrated in lower-income areas.

PHAs apply mandatory exclusions under federal law (lifetime sex offender registration, meth production on federally assisted premises) and discretionary exclusions based on criminal history. PHA denial decisions are subject to informal review rights under 24 C.F.R. § 982.554.

Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Phone: 317-232-7777 Website: www.in.gov/ihcda/homeowners-and-renters/ Statewide HCV administration and affordable housing programs.

Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org/housing-choice-voucher-program Note: As of July 2025, IHA temporarily paused processing of new HCV applications. Verify current status.

Housing Authority of South Bend (HASB) Website: www.hasbonline.com/housing-choice-voucher Indiana Housing Now — Affordable Housing Search Phone: 1-877-428-8844 Website: www.indianahousingnow.org Searchable statewide database of housing available to voucher holders.

Affordable Housing Online — Indiana Open Waiting Lists Website: affordablehousingonline.com/open-section-8-waiting-lists/Indiana Tracks current status of Indiana PHA waiting lists.

Waitlist Check — IHCDA Website: www.waitlistcheck.com/IN1806-2480

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Indiana Legal Help Website: indianalegalhelp.org

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org Investigates potential fair housing violations, including cases where voucher denials may be pretextual for protected-class discrimination.

HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Phone: 1-800-669-9777 Website: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website: housing4hoosiers.org/links-resources/housing-counseling-services-map/ Indiana 211 Phone: 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org

42 U.S.C. § 1437f — Housing Choice Voucher Program Authorization Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1437f 24 C.F.R. Part 982 — HCV Program Regulations Source: www.ecfr.gov 42 U.S.C. §§ 13661, 13663 — Mandatory Denial Provisions Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13661 Indiana HB 1578 (2025) — Source of Income Proposal Source: www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1784128 PRRAC — Source of Income Discrimination Laws (Appendix B, 2025) Source: www.prrac.org/pdf/AppendixB.pdf HUD — Housing Choice Vouchers Overview Source: www.hud.gov/helping-americans/housing-choice-vouchers-tenants Indianapolis Housing Agency — HCV Program Source: www.indyhousing.org/housing-choice-voucher-program Housing Authority of South Bend — HCV Source: www.hasbonline.com/housing-choice-voucher Affordable Housing Online — Indiana Source: affordablehousingonline.com/open-section-8-waiting-lists/Indiana Indiana Housing Now Source: www.indianahousingnow.org IHCDA — Homeowners and Renters Source: www.in.gov/ihcda/homeowners-and-renters/ Indiana 211 Source: www.in.gov/fssa/indiana-211/

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

This is informational only and not legal advice.

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program is a joint HUD-VA initiative that combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless veterans with VA case management and clinical services. HUD allocates VASH vouchers to PHAs based on local homeless veteran needs, and the VA provides ongoing case management. The program is designed to help homeless veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing.

In Indiana, approximately 800 HUD-VASH vouchers have been allocated, with 400 serving Marion County (Indianapolis) through the Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA). VA case management for VASH participants is coordinated through the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis and VA facilities serving other Indiana regions.

Eligibility for HUD-VASH requires: VA Health Care eligibility (based on military service); current homelessness as defined under HUD's definition; and participation in VA case management services. Veterans with criminal records may be eligible for HUD-VASH subject to the same mandatory exclusion rules that apply to all HCV programs — lifetime sex offender registration is a mandatory bar under 42 U.S.C. § 13663, and other criminal history is assessed on a discretionary basis.

HVAF of Indiana (Helping Veterans and Families) is the primary Indiana organization providing housing, case management, and transitional housing services specifically for homeless veterans. HVAF operates 14 properties providing housing for more than 150 veterans and provides VASH-related support, transitional housing, and veteran services statewide.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Understanding Veterans VASH and HUD Housing as a Housing Framework in Indiana Veterans experiencing homelessness in Indiana have access to one of the most specifically designed housing assistance systems in the country through the HUD-VASH program. However, accessing that system requires awareness of the eligibility requirements, the geographic distribution of services, and the intersection between veterans' housing needs and barriers like criminal records, credit issues, and prior evictions. Understanding this system fully allows veterans and their advocates to access all available support.

HUD-VASH combines two components that individually address different dimensions of homeless veteran housing instability. The first is the HCV rental subsidy — a voucher that works identically to a standard Housing Choice Voucher in the private rental market, with HUD paying the subsidy to a participating landlord and the veteran paying their portion of the rent. The second is VA case management — an ongoing relationship with a VA social worker or case manager who assists the veteran in finding housing, sustaining tenancy, and accessing VA health care, mental health treatment, and other services.

This combination addresses both the financial barrier (the rental subsidy) and the support barrier (case management) that prevent many homeless veterans from securing and maintaining stable housing. Research consistently shows that combining rental assistance with case management produces better long-term housing stability outcomes than rental assistance alone.

According to HVAF of Indiana, approximately 800 HUD-VASH vouchers are allocated to Indiana, including 400 for Marion County veterans. These vouchers are administered through the Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA), which manages HCV program operations, inspections, and landlord payments for VASH participants in Marion County. The VA Roudebush Medical Center in Indianapolis provides case management for Marion County VASH participants.

For veterans in other Indiana regions — Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville, and rural areas — HUD-VASH vouchers are allocated to local PHAs and case management is coordinated through

regions.

HVAF of Indiana (Helping Veterans and Families) is the primary statewide nonprofit organization providing housing and supportive services to homeless veterans in Indiana. HVAF operates 14 properties — homes and apartment complexes — that house more than 150 homeless veterans at any given time. Services include HUD-VASH voucher administration support, transitional housing for veterans not yet in permanent housing, case management, job placement assistance, and veteran advocacy. HVAF is located at 45 East 10th Street in Indianapolis and can be reached at (317) 951-0688. Their website is hvaf.org.

The pathway to HUD-VASH for an Indiana veteran begins with VA Health Care enrollment.

Veterans who are not yet enrolled in VA Health Care must apply through the VA enrollment process before accessing VASH. Enrollment eligibility is based on service history and, in some cases, financial need or service-connected disability. Veterans who are unsure of their eligibility should contact the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) or call the VA enrollment line.

Once enrolled in VA Health Care, a homeless veteran should contact the Homeless Program Coordinator at their nearest VA Medical Center or CBOC, or call the National Call Center for

will assess the veteran for HUD-VASH eligibility, place the veteran on the VASH waiting list if slots are not immediately available, and begin the case management relationship.

HVAF of Indiana can also provide emergency transitional housing for veterans while they wait for a VASH voucher to become available, preventing homelessness during the waiting period.

Veterans with criminal records face the same HCV program eligibility rules for VASH as for standard vouchers. Mandatory exclusions under federal law — lifetime sex offender registration, methamphetamine production on federally assisted premises — apply. PHAs administering VASH vouchers must apply these mandatory exclusions. Discretionary criminal history denials are subject to individualized assessment consistent with HUD guidance.

Veterans with felony records who are not subject to mandatory exclusions may still be eligible for HUD-VASH. The VA's case management component of the program is specifically designed to support veterans with complex histories, including incarceration history, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders. VA case managers are trained to advocate for veteran housing stability and can assist veterans in navigating PHA eligibility review.

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) is the primary state agency serving Indiana's veterans. IDVA assists veterans with benefits claims, VA Health Care enrollment, discharge upgrades, and connection to housing and support resources. IDVA's website is www.in.gov/dva/ and the Veterans Crisis Line can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1).

If you are a veteran experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Indiana, take the following steps. First, contact the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7). Second, contact HVAF of Indiana at (317) 951-0688 for immediate housing support and VASH navigation. Third, contact the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs at www.in.gov/dva/ for benefits and enrollment assistance. Fourth, if you are in Indianapolis, contact the Indianapolis Housing Agency VASH program at www.indyhousing.org.

Fifth, dial 211 to locate additional local veteran housing resources anywhere in Indiana.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

Advanced Legal and Practitioner Analysis: Veterans VASH and HUD Housing in Indiana

HUD-VASH is authorized under 38 U.S.C. § 8(o)(19) and Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C. § 1437f(o)(19). HUD provides voucher funding and program oversight, and the VA provides case management services. HUD and VA enter into joint implementation agreements, and annual appropriations determine the number of VASH vouchers available nationally and by geography.

HUD-VASH is treated as a specialized form of the Housing Choice Voucher program and is administered under the same regulatory framework as the general HCV program — 24 C.F.R.

Part 982 — with VASH-specific modifications found in 24 C.F.R. § 982.8 (definitions) and program notices issued jointly by HUD and VA. The PHA administering VASH vouchers is responsible for payment, inspection, and compliance functions, while the VA is responsible for case management and eligibility referrals.

The same mandatory exclusion provisions that apply to all HCV programs apply to HUD-VASH.

Under 42 U.S.C. § 13663, PHAs must deny VASH assistance to veterans subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement. Under 42 U.S.C. § 13661(b)(1), PHAs must deny assistance to veterans convicted of methamphetamine production on federally assisted premises. These are non-waivable, non-discretionary exclusions.

For veterans with other criminal histories — including felony convictions for drug offenses, property crimes, or violent offenses — the PHA applies discretionary review. HUD's longstanding guidance encourages individualized assessment considering the nature and severity of the offense, time elapsed, evidence of rehabilitation, and the specific threat to residents. VA case managers play a critical advocacy role in this discretionary review process, providing documentation of the veteran's stability, treatment history, and rehabilitation progress.

VA Health Care enrollment is a prerequisite for VASH. Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. military and were separated under conditions other than dishonorable may be eligible for VA Health Care. Eligibility is determined under 38 C.F.R. Parts 17 and 21. Veterans with service-connected disabilities have priority enrollment. Low-income veterans without service-connected disabilities may also qualify under financial hardship criteria.

Discharge status matters critically for VA benefits eligibility. Veterans with Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct, or Dishonorable discharges may face restrictions or bars to VA Health Care and VASH eligibility depending on the characterization of their discharge and the underlying circumstances. Veterans with OTH discharges may request a "character of discharge" review from the VA, which can result in eligibility for VA benefits even with a less-than-honorable discharge. This is a specialized area requiring legal assistance, available through veterans service organizations and legal aid providers with veterans experience.

HUD and VA jointly award new VASH vouchers annually. According to the 2024 HUD-VASH Awards List, vouchers are allocated based on a formula that considers local homeless veteran counts and existing program capacity. Indiana's 800 allocated vouchers represent a significant resource. Practitioners should monitor HUD's annual VASH award announcements for changes to Indiana's allocation, and communicate expanded access opportunities to veteran clients.

In addition to VASH, the VA's Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program funds community-based organizations to operate transitional housing for veterans. GPD programs in Indiana — operated through organizations like HVAF — provide temporary housing and supportive services while veterans wait for permanent housing or VASH vouchers. These programs are an important bridge between crisis homelessness and permanent housing stability.

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) — www.in.gov/dva/ — is Indiana's primary state-level veterans agency. IDVA provides benefits counseling, discharge upgrade guidance, and connection to state and federal resources. IDVA does not directly administer housing programs but serves as a critical access point for veterans who need connection to the full spectrum of available services.

The Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, press 1) should be prominently displayed in all veteran-facing materials. Veterans experiencing housing instability often also face mental health crises, and the interconnection between homelessness and mental health requires integrated responses.

This is informational only and not legal advice.

38 U.S.C. § 8(o)(19) / 42 U.S.C. § 1437f(o)(19) — HUD-VASH Program Authorization Authorizes the HUD-VASH program combining HCV rental assistance with VA case management. Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1437f 24 C.F.R. Part 982 — HCV Program Regulations (applicable to VASH) Source: www.ecfr.gov 42 U.S.C. § 13661 — Mandatory Denial Provisions Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13661 42 U.S.C. § 13663 — Mandatory Denial for Lifetime Sex Offenders Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13663 38 C.F.R. Parts 17 and 21 — VA Health Care Eligibility Source: www.ecfr.gov VA Homeless Programs — HUD-VASH Program Overview Source: department.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash/ HUD Exchange — HUD-VASH Program Source: www.hudexchange.info/programs/hud-vash/ HUD 2024 HUD-VASH Awards by PHA Source: www.hud.gov/helping-americans/housing-choice-vouchers-homeless-veterans VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program Source: department.va.gov/homeless/grant-per-diem/ Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) Source: www.in.gov/dva/

HUD-VASH vouchers provide both a rental subsidy and VA case management support, addressing financial and social barriers simultaneously. The same PHA eligibility rules and landlord participation dynamics that affect standard HCV holders apply to VASH participants — including Indiana's absence of a statewide source of income discrimination law. Homeless veterans with criminal records are subject to mandatory exclusions (lifetime sex offender registration, meth production on federally assisted premises) and discretionary criminal history review by the PHA.

VA case managers are a critical differentiator for VASH participants — they can provide documentation of the veteran's rehabilitation, stability, and service history to PHAs and landlords, creating a stronger application than a veteran navigating the system alone.

Veterans experiencing homelessness who are not yet VASH-eligible or awaiting a voucher can access transitional housing through HVAF of Indiana and GPD-funded programs.

HVAF of Indiana (Helping Veterans and Families) 45 East 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: (317) 951-0688 Website: hvaf.org and hvafofindiana.org Provides HUD-VASH navigation support, transitional housing for veterans, permanent housing through 14 HVAF-owned properties, case management, and veteran advocacy. Primary Indiana organization for homeless veteran housing.

Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) — VASH Program Phone: 317-261-7100 Website: www.indyhousing.org/veterans-affairs-supportive-housing-vash Administers VASH vouchers for Marion County veterans.

VA Richard L. Roudebush Medical Center — Homeless Program Coordinator Indianapolis, Indiana Phone: 317-554-0000 (main VA line — request Homeless Program Coordinator) Website: www.indianapolis.va.gov National Call Center for Homeless Veterans Phone: 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) Available 24/7 Website: www.va.gov/resources/homeless-help/ Provides immediate connection to VA homeless services and housing resources.

Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) Website: www.in.gov/dva/ Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, press 1 Provides benefits counseling, VA Health Care enrollment assistance, and connection to statewide veteran resources.

LTHC Homeless Services — Veterans Housing South Bend, Indiana Website: lthc.net/housing-veterans-and-families/ Provides veteran housing assistance in the South Bend and northern Indiana area; can connect to VA and VASH resources.

HUD — VA Supportive Housing Program Information Website: www.hud.gov/helping-americans/housing-choice-vouchers-homeless-veterans

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) Statewide Phone: 844-243-8570 Website: www.indianalegalservices.org Handles housing-related civil legal matters for low-income veterans.

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) Phone: 317-644-0673 Toll-Free: 855-270-7280 Website: www.fhcci.org HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Phone: 1-800-669-9777 Website: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

Housing4Hoosiers HUD Counseling Map Website: housing4hoosiers.org/links-resources/housing-counseling-services-map/

Indiana 211 Phone: 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 Website: www.in211.org Connects veterans and all Indiana residents with emergency housing, shelter, and local support resources 24/7.

38 U.S.C. § 8(o)(19) / 42 U.S.C. § 1437f(o)(19) — HUD-VASH Authorization Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1437f VA Homeless Programs — HUD-VASH Source: department.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash/ HUD Exchange — HUD-VASH Program Source: www.hudexchange.info/programs/hud-vash/ HUD — 2024 VASH Awards by PHA Source: www.hud.gov/helping-americans/housing-choice-vouchers-homeless-veterans VA Grant and Per Diem Program Source: department.va.gov/homeless/grant-per-diem/ HVAF of Indiana — Housing Programs Source: hvaf.org/our-mission/housing/ Source: hvafofindiana.org HVAF — 800 HUD-VASH Vouchers in Indiana Source: hvaf.org/message-from-the-ceo-we-must-protect-veterans-using-vouchers-to-end-homelessnes s/ Indianapolis Housing Agency — VASH Program Source: www.indyhousing.org/veterans-affairs-supportive-housing-vash Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) Source: www.in.gov/dva/ National Call Center for Homeless Veterans Source: www.va.gov/resources/homeless-help/ 42 U.S.C. §§ 13661, 13663 — Mandatory Denial Provisions Source: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/13661 24 C.F.R. Part 982 — HCV Regulations Source: www.ecfr.gov Indiana 211 Source: www.in.gov/fssa/indiana-211/ HUD Indiana Housing Resources Source: www.hud.gov/states/indiana

This Atlas entry is informational infrastructure only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, does not guarantee housing approval, and should be reviewed with a qualified professional for case-specific decisions. Request a free consultation for legal advice

— END OF INDIANA HOUSING NODE INTELLIGENCE ATLAS — 13 Rental Barrier Intelligence Stacks | State of Indiana | Current as of June 2026 National Second Chance