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Housing

Programs

Brighter Days Shelter

Brighter Days is a homeless shelter for men and women experiencing temporary homelessness. This shelter is provided by the Columbus Township Trustee and operated by Love Chapel.

Location

Address

421 S Mapleton Street

Columbus

IN

47201

Phone Number

(812) 344-4512

Hours

Check in between 6pm-9pm daily. Exit by 8am (but come back if you need to!)

Eligibility

-Bartholomew County men and women, age 18+, who are homeless
-Must not be on sex offender registry
-No pets (but Animal Care can house your pet for a few days)
-60 day maximum stay (extensions possible)

Intake Procedure

Walk-in

What To Bring

Bring an ID if you have one. Any proof of residence works though—this can be a utility bill, rent receipt, prescription bottle, school correspondence, or even a postmarked, self-addressed envelope.

Fees

Additional Languages

Love Chapel

812-372-9421

292 Center Street

Columbus

IN

47201

CHIP: Columbus Housing Improvement Program

The City of Columbus is committed to supporting local homeownership. This program provides an opportunity for eligible homeowners to apply for grant funding up to $20,000 to fund needed home repairs and improvements. For those who meet the program criteria, this grant opportunity can be used for eligible activities such as roof & HVAC repairs & replacements, external entry ADA modifications, and water heater replacement. Radon tests and mitigation are also part of any homeowner selected for the program.

The aim of this program is to:
-Maintain existing low to moderate income housing stock in the city.
-Support home ownership for low to moderate income families by making needed long term improvements to homes that often are avoided because of cost.

Location

City of Columbus

Address

Phone Number

Hours

Eligibility

-Must be at or below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Columbus, Indiana
-Live within Columbus city limits
-Own the home & have home insurance
-Not live in a floodplain according to https://floodstandard.climate.gov/tool/
-Applicant must agree to live in the home for at least 36 months after improvements. A lien will secure this agreement and if you choose to sell during that time, you will have a prorated amount recovered during the sale closing process.

Intake Procedure

Online application only

What To Bring

The following documents will need to be submitted to complete application:
-Bank verification form
-Copy of property deed
-Mortgage verification form
-Employment verification form
-Proof of all household income for the past 30 days
-Official Social Security benefit statement (if applicable)
-Proof of homeowners insurance
-Current property tax receipt
-Bank name, phone number, & address

Fees

Additional Languages

City of Columbus

812-376-2500

123 Washington Street

Columbus

IN

47201

HUD Public Housing Program

Public Housing works from a first-come-first-served waiting list based on two preferences.  The Public Housing waiting list must be open in order to apply.  Waiting list openings and closings are advertised two weeks in advance of the date through local media. The approximate wait to be selected from the Public Housing waiting list is 12 – 18 months.  Applicants selected from the Public Housing waiting list that respond by the given deadline must go through an interview to determine program eligibility.

Location

Columbus Housing Authority

Address

799 McClure Road

Columbus

IN

47201

Phone Number

(812) 378-0005

Hours

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Closed 12pm-1pm for lunch

Eligibility

Meet income guidelines; pass background check

Intake Procedure

Complete an application for the waiting list. Applications are available at the office, by mail, or via the website.

What To Bring

Dates of birth, social security numbers, and income documentation for everyone in the household

Fees

Additional Languages

Columbus Housing Authority

812-378-0005

799 McClure Road

Columbus

IN

47201

Horizon House Emergency Family Shelter

Emergency Family Shelter is a 30-day program designed to coach and assist homeless families within Bartholomew County. Families must have been residents of Bartholomew County prior to their housing crisis.  A four-bedroom home located at 724 Chestnut Street in Columbus, Indiana.  This home gives us the ability to house four families at one time.

Location

Address

724 Chestnut Street

Columbus

IN

47201

Phone Number

(812) 799-1062

Hours

Intake 24 hours daily

Eligibility

Bartholomew County homeless families with dependent children (in custody)

Intake Procedure

Call intake line

What To Bring

Photo ID, proof of homelessness if possible (eviction notice, letter from person you are living with stating you can no longer stay with them, etc.)

Fees

Additional Languages

Human Services, Inc.

812-372-8407

4355 East 600 North

Columbus

IN

47203

Housing Partnerships, Inc.

Thrive Alliance (through Housing Partnerships, Inc.) has been providing high-quality affordable housing opportunities in the area for more than 30 years. Quality housing is a proven contributor to long-term health and well-being. It is the foundation for a good quality of life for individuals and families. It also helps ensure vibrant, equitable neighborhoods and communities for all residents. Our housing services include home repairs and accessibility modifications, quality affordable rental homes, and homeownership opportunities for first-time home buyers. We have developed more than 550 affordable homes throughout the region.

Location

Thrive Alliance

Address

2158 Cottage Avenue

Columbus

IN

47201

Phone Number

(812) 376-9458

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm

Eligibility

Varies by program

Intake Procedure

Call for information

What To Bring

Information will be given at time of assessment

Fees

Vary

Additional Languages

Thrive Alliance

(866) 644-6407

2158 Cottage Avenue

Columbus

IN

47201

Housing Search

Free, state online resource for renters and property managers in Indiana. The dynamic search options allow you to find affordable, accessible and market-rate housing that will fit your needs.

Location

Address

Phone Number

(877) 428-8844

Hours

Call Center: Mon-Fri 8a-7p (Central time)

Eligibility

Intake Procedure

Search website or call for information

What To Bring

Fees

Additional Languages

Indiana Housing Now

877-428-8844

No Physical Address

Columbus

IN

47201

Public Housing & Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program

The mission of The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus, Indiana (Columbus Housing Authority) is to operate a financially sound public housing agency that provides a drug-free, safe, affordable environment and to promote opportunities for families and individuals of all abilities who desire to achieve self-sufficiency.

Columbus Housing Authority administers the Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs for the City of Columbus, Indiana and a 5-mile radius outside city limits.

Location

Columbus Housing Authority

Address

799 McClure Road

Columbus

IN

47201

Phone Number

(812) 378-0005

Hours

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Closed 12pm-1pm for lunch

Eligibility

Meet income guidelines; pass background check

Intake Procedure

Call or email, chaadmin@columbushome.net, for information.
Complete an application for waiting list when waiting list is open. Applications are available at the office, by mail, or via website.

What To Bring

Dates of birth, social security numbers, and income documentation for everyone in the household

Fees

Additional Languages

Columbus Housing Authority

812-378-0005

799 McClure Road

Columbus

IN

47201

Rapid Re-housing & Prevention Program

Program for homeless individuals and families. The program consists of two forms of assistance, coaching & financial assistance. Coaching includes, but is not limited to, goal setting, budgeting, referrals, etc. Coaching assists participants to move forward towards stability. Participants MUST be willing to work towards their goals and work within the program. The financial assistance can come in the form of rent & utility deposits, arrears on rent or utilities, and partial rent assistance. Financial assistance is dependent upon participation in the coaching process. Participants MAY receive assistance anywhere from one month up to one year. This will be based on individual need and the need is determined on a month to month basis.

Location

Human Services, Inc.

Address

4355 E 600 N

Columbus

IN

47203

Phone Number

(812) 372-8407

Hours

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Eligibility

Homeless Bartholomew County residents

Intake Procedure

Call for information

What To Bring

Fees

Additional Languages

Human Services, Inc.

812-372-8407

4355 East 600 North

Columbus

IN

47203

Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)

The Housing Choice Voucher Program comprises the majority of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s Section 8 rental assistance programs. IHCDA administered vouchers help approximately 4,000 families’ pay their rent each month. Eligibility for the Housing Choice Voucher program is based on a family’s household income. The voucher covers a portion of the rent and the tenant is expected to pay the balance. The tenants’ share is an affordable percentage of their income and is generally calculated between 30 to 40 percent of their monthly-adjusted gross income for rent and utilities.

Location

Human Services, Inc.

Address

4355 E 600 N

Columbus

IN

47203

Phone Number

(812) 372-8407

Hours

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Eligibility

Bartholomew County resident; meet income guidelines

Intake Procedure

Apply for program when waitlist is open

What To Bring

Photo ID

Fees

Additional Languages

Human Services, Inc.

812-372-8407

4355 East 600 North

Columbus

IN

47203

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants

Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

Location

Indiana Rural Development State Office

Address

Phone Number

(317) 290-3100

Hours

Eligibility

To qualify, you must:
- Be the homeowner and occupy the house
- Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
- Have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county
- For grants, be age 62 or older
- Home must be located in USDA eligible area

Intake Procedure

View website to apply or call for information

What To Bring

Fees

View website for grant & loan terms

Additional Languages

USDA

317-290-3100

5975 Lakeside Boulevard

Indianapolis

IN

46278

Turning Point Domestic Violence Services

Works towards the prevention and elimination of domestic and dating violence through 24 hour helpline, outreach services, emergency shelter, and prevention education.

Location

Address

PO Box 103

Columbus

IN

47202

Phone Number

(800) 221-6311

Hours

24 hours daily

Eligibility

Victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault

Intake Procedure

Call crisis line

What To Bring

Any important papers that may not be accessible after leaving

Fees

Additional Languages

Turning Point Domestic Violence Services

800-221-6311

PO Box 103

Columbus

IN

47202

Warming/Cooling Center

Extreme cold or hot temperatures can pose a serious threat to health and safety, especially to vulnerable populations.
Stations are set up where individuals without heat or air conditioning can go and cool down warm up or stay cool during extreme weather.

Location

Hope Public Library

Address

635 Harrison Street

Hope

IN

47246

Phone Number

Hours

Mon & Tues 10am-7pm
Wed & Sat10am-5pm
Thurs & Fri 10am-6pm

Eligibility

Intake Procedure

What To Bring

Fees

Additional Languages

Website

Bartholomew County Public Library

812-379-1255

536 Fifth Street

Columbus

IN

47201

Warming/Cooling Center

Extreme cold or hot temperatures can pose a serious threat to health and safety, especially to vulnerable populations.
Stations are set up where individuals without heat or air conditioning can go and cool down warm up or stay cool during extreme weather.

Location

Bartholomew County Public Library

Address

536 5th Street

Columbus

IN

47201

Phone Number

Hours

Mon-Thur 9am-8pm
Fri & Sat 9am-6pm

Eligibility

Intake Procedure

What To Bring

Fees

Additional Languages

Website

Bartholomew County Public Library

812-379-1255

536 Fifth Street

Columbus

IN

47201

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What We Do

United Way of Bartholomew County leads our community in social service delivery, which provides long-term solutions to our most pressing challenges. We seek to ensure every individual has access to opportunities they need to reach their full potential, creating a stronger and more inclusive community for all.

Contact

1304 Hutchins Avenue

Columbus, Indiana 47201

Phone: 812-376-3001

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