Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance

Are you behind on your rent and/or utility bills? You could be eligible for up to 18 months of rent and utility assistance.

Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA)

Applications are now being accepted for the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) program. IERA helps renter households with rent and utility assistance. This includes help with paying your:

  • Rent: up to 18 months of current and past-due rent
  • Home energy expenses: fuel oil, wood, coal, pellets and propane
  • Past-due utilities: electric, gas, water, sewer

Up to 18 months of rent and utility and/or home energy assistance may be provided. This includes past-due balances and late fees accrued after April 1, 2020.

IERA is designed to increase housing stability and decrease evictions.

Apply Now!

Informational documents in English and Spanish are located at in.gov/ihcda/homeowners-and-renters/rental-assistance. You can apply online at the top banner of IndianaHousingNow.org. If renters are unable to access the technology necessary, a 211 representative will help complete their application over the phone.

Renters living in Hamilton and St. Joseph counties, along with the City of Fort Wayne, should apply to their respective programs unless an eviction case has been filed, in which case renters may apply to IERA for the Pilot Eviction Diversion Program. Information about these programs can be found below:

Hamilton County: hctaindiana.com

Marion County: indyrent.org

City of Fort Wayne: fwcommunitydevelopment.org/housing/renter-assistance

If you or someone you know needs rent/utility assistance, please consider sharing this information.

Upcoming Events at Twin Oaks Park!

The New Chicago Parks Board is proud to announce the following events coming up at Twin Oaks Park this summer:

  • Rummage in the Park
    • This event is being held June 4th, 2022 (June 5th is the backup day in the event of rain on June 4th).
    • 10×10 spaces are available for rent. New Chicago Residents can rent a space for $15 and non-residents can rent a space for $20. You can also get a 10×20 space for $25 for New Chicago Residents and $35 for non-residents.
    • Click the link above to see all the details!
  • New Chicago Public Space Mural
    • We are looking from submissions from students that live in New Chicago (up to 18 years of age) to use on the mural!
    • We plan to host art days at the park where the public can come take part in helping with the creation of the mural on the buildings.
    • Click the link above to get more details!
  • Shakespeare in the Park
    • The Gary Shakespeare Company will be presenting “Julius Caesar” by Wiliam Shakespeare.
    • This is a free show for all to come see! No admission fee is being charged by the Gary Shakespeare Company, New Chicago Parks, or Town of New Chicago.
    • The snack shack will be open for snacks and drinks before and during the show.
    • Click the link above for more details!

Junior Solutions Shamrock Hunt

Junior Solutions will be holding their Shamrock Hunt on Sunday, March 20th, 2022 from 12pm to 2pm. Cost is $2.00 per child with all proceeds going to the Junior Solutions waterfront project.

Garbage & Recycling Notice

Trash pickup will now resume in the alley. Please make sure that your trash cans are in their normal spot for pickup on Friday.

February 2022 Parks Board Meeting

The February 1st, 2022 Parks Board Meeting has been rescheduled to February 8th, 2022 due to scheduling conflicts of the Parks Board Members. The official time of this meeting will now be February 8th, 2022 at 6:00pm central time. We thank you for your understanding.

Town of New Chicago Finances Water Project

Federal funding will be used to complete needed improvements in the Town’s water distribution system.

INDIANAPOLIS, December 2021— The Town of New Chicago closed a low interest loan, in the amount of $3,345,000, through the Indiana Finance Authority’s DrinkingWater State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Program to finance improvements to the Town’s drinking water systems.  By utilizing the SRF Loan Program instead of securing a traditional loan, New Chicago will save approximately $421,149 in interest costs over the life of the loan.

The SRF Loan Programs are administered by the Indiana Finance Authority with joint funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Indiana. The Town’s project will replace watermains that are nearing 70 years old and relocate water main to public right of way for ease of maintenance.  The project will reduce water main breaks and ensure the Town is able to continue to provide consistent quantity and quality of water, and further protect the public health of residents and businesses in the New Chicago service area.

SRF Loan Programs operate in all States to provide the resources necessary to maintain and improve the infrastructure that protects our valuable water resources.  Communities can getmore information about obtaining an SRF loan by contacting Stephanie McFarland at (317) 709-8728, stephanie@mcfarlandpr.com, or by visiting www.srf.in.gov.

Trick Or Treat

Town wide Trick or Treat will take place on Sunday, October 31st, 2021 from 5pm to 7pm. The New Chicago Fire Department and New Chicago Police Department will both be on patrol to help ensure the safety of the children during that time frame.

Public Hearing for Town Budget

A public hearing for the 2022 New Chicago Budget will be held at the town hall on Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 at 6:00pm Central before the town council meeting.