Housing - The Indiana Lawyer

City, partners push forward with renter support despite setbacks

February 21, 2022 | Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indianapolis Business Journal

Indianapolis has long struggled to rein in dilapidated housing complexes owned by absentee, typically out-of-state, landlords. It’s slogging through lengthy lawsuits with the owners of multiple troubled properties, and officials say there’s another filing ready to go unless a new owner takes over an infamously rundown complex. A pair of state-level moves in landlord-friendly Indiana also are hampering attempts to protect renters, city officials say.

Legislative fatigue reflects weariness with housing crisis

February 16, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

By the time the “residential eviction actions” bill was called, the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee hearing had stretched well beyond two hours and, after hearing testimony, the session was adjourned with no vote taken on the measure. The fatigue felt by legislators and those constituents who were still in attendance on Feb. 9 is much like the tiredness gripping many Hoosiers and community agencies that have been bracing for and facing an eviction crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Indianapolis delays suit against apartment owner, citing interested buyer

February 10, 2022 | Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indianapolis Business Journal

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration, which in January threatened a lawsuit against the owner of a troubled Nora-area apartment complex, has delayed filing suit, citing interest from a possible buyer.

Central Indiana fair housing group to get $1M in Fannie Mae settlement

February 8, 2022 | Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indianapolis Business Journal

The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana and 20 other fair housing organizations across the country announced Monday that they have reached a $53 million agreement with Fannie Mae to settle a discrimination suit.

City threatens nuisance suit against owner of troubled Nora apartment complex

January 25, 2022 | Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indianapolis Business Journal

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration on Tuesday threatened suit against the ownership of a Nora-area apartment complex that’s racked up hundreds of health and building code violations.

Tenants go to Statehouse to share stories, advocate for fairer treatment

January 24, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

Several Indiana renters took turns stepping up to the microphone in the Statehouse’s north atrium and sharing their stories during the Tenants Day of Action.

Indiana Bar Foundation launching series of initiatives thanks to $13M grant

December 28, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

With a big boost from what is possibly the largest influx of financial support it has ever received, the Indiana Bar Foundation is preparing to use a $13.1 million grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to launch a series of initiatives to help guide Hoosiers facing housing problems through the civil legal system.

‘Hostile housing environment’ claim survives summary judgment in lawsuit against HOA

December 20, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

A federal court is allowing a lawsuit alleging an Indianapolis homeowners association and its property management company knew of race-based harassment in the Twin Creeks subdivision and failed to take legal action to stop the problematic neighbor from using offensive language and making threats.

Settlement reached in redlining lawsuit against Old National Bank

December 17, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Evansville-based Old National Bank has settled allegations of redlining against Black residents in Indianapolis, agreeing to originate more than $27 million in loans to qualified Black applicants and contributing more than $3 million to create programs to help Black homeseekers secure mortgages and to invest in majority-Black neighborhoods.

CDC issues new eviction ban for most of US through Oct. 3

August 4, 2021 | Associated Press

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new eviction moratorium that would last until Oct. 3, as the Biden administration sought to quell intensifying criticism from progressives that it was allowing vulnerable renters to lose their homes during a pandemic.

Hartford City senior apartments enter consent decree over allegations of Fair Housing Act violations

August 3, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

An apartment complex for older adults in Hartford City has reached a settlement with a former resident and the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana over allegations the facility violated the federal Fair Housing Act by discriminating against individuals with disabilities.

Lake Co. dad gets new trial after potential landlord denies rental because of kids

July 28, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

A new trial has been ordered for a Lake County father who was refused a rental home after telling the owner that he had children.

Ex-South Bend housing authority director indicted for alleged fraud

July 22, 2021 | Associated Press

The former executive director of a northern Indiana city’s housing authority has been indicted along with four others in a scheme that allegedly defrauded the U.S. government of millions of dollars.

FHCCI reaches $500K settlement over fair housing and ADA violations

June 25, 2021 | IL Staff

The entities who designed, built, owned and managed 14 apartment complexes across central and northern Indiana have agreed to make improvements to the residential properties and pay more than $500,000 to settle a complaint filed by the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana over alleged violations of federal accessibility requirements.

HUD charges Bloomington apartment company with disability discrimination

May 13, 2021 | Greg Andrews

The complaint alleges Burnham Rentals violated the Fair Housing Act by refusing to permit an Indiana University graduate student with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder to live with a cat that ameliorated her symptoms.

Judge temporarily stays ruling against CDC eviction moratorium

May 6, 2021 | Associated Press

A federal judge has temporarily stayed an order that found the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention exceeded its authority when it imposed a federal eviction moratorium to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

HUD complaints allege racial bias in Indianapolis home appraisals

May 4, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana and Indianapolis resident Carlette Duffy have filed fair housing complaints with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, alleging Duffy’s home was appraised at a lower value because she is African American.

Wetlands deregulation bill advances to Indiana governor

April 15, 2021 | Associated Press

Lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a disputed bill seeking to remove protections from Indiana’s already diminished wetlands amid mounting criticism that the legislation could cause damage to the state’s waterways, wildlife and vegetation.

LaPorte County apartment accused of violating fair housing acts

April 5, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana has filed a complaint in federal court against a Michigan City apartment complex, claiming the “discriminatory practices” of the residential provider deprived a Hoosier family of a place to live.

IU wins reversal in students’ mold-infestation lawsuit

March 17, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Indiana University Bloomington claimed a victory in the legal fight over mold infestation in dorms, convincing the Indiana Court of Appeals to overturn the denial of the school’s summary judgment motion on all tort claims brought by the affected students.

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