HB1140 creates a new Eviction Assistance Grant Program in the Indiana Code and assigns administration of the program to the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. The program would provide grants to counties, cities, towns, and townships to fund eviction-related services for tenants facing an eviction action. Those services include paying for legal representation in eviction cases and creating or expanding local programs that connect tenants to housing-related service providers and resources.
The bill also establishes a dedicated Eviction Assistance Grant Fund. The fund would receive appropriations, grants, donations, gifts, and other transfers, and money in the fund would not revert to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year. The authority would adopt grant guidelines, manage applications, and oversee public information about the program. The bill includes a $2 million general fund appropriation for the 2025-2027 biennium, effective July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB1140 would add a new chapter to Title 5 of the Indiana Code governing state and local administration, creating a permanent framework for state-supported eviction assistance grants. It would affect local governments by allowing them to apply for funding to support tenant legal aid and housing navigation services, and it would place administrative responsibility on the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. The bill also creates a continuously appropriated fund and directs an initial state appropriation of $2 million into that fund.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee discussion or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as a housing-stability and tenant-support measure rather than a controversial regulatory change. Its stated purpose suggests support for tenants facing eviction and for local service providers that assist them. No formal vote history or transcript is available here to show broader legislative sentiment.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is likely the use of state general fund dollars for eviction-related legal and housing services, especially the $2 million appropriation and the creation of a continuously appropriated fund. Supporters would likely emphasize preventing homelessness, improving access to counsel, and connecting tenants to resources, while critics may question whether the state should fund local eviction assistance programs or whether the program could affect landlords and eviction proceedings indirectly. No specific objections or amendments are provided in the supplied record.