§ 12-20-16-17 — Inspection of housing units; substandard housing; shelter damage or security deposit; eligibility for shelter assistance

(a) A township trustee may employ the
services of a housing inspector to inspect all housing units, including:
(1) mobile homes;
(2) group homes;
(3) single household units;
(4) multiple household units;
(5) apartments; or
(6) any other dwelling;
inhabited by a township assistance recipient.
(b) A township trustee may contract with a local housing authority:
(1) for housing inspection services; and
(2) to train a township housing inspector.
Costs of these contractual services shall be paid from the township
assistance fund.
(c) A township housing inspector shall use the following for
determining a housing structure's suitability for habitation:
(1) Standards recommended by the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development as used by local housing
authorities.
(2) Local building codes and municipal ordinances.
(d) Substandard housing that does not meet minimum standards of
health, safety, and construction is not eligible for:
(1) the maximum level of shelter payments; or
(2) damage or security deposits paid from or encumbered by
township funds.
(e) If the trustee determines that a housing unit for which payment
is requested is substantially below minimum standards of health, safety,
or construction, the trustee, when necessary, shall assist the applicant
in obtaining appropriate alternate shelter.
(f) A township trustee is not required to spend township assistance
funds for a shelter damage or security deposit for an eligible township
assistance applicant or household. However, the trustee may encumber
money for a shelter damage or security deposit by making an
agreement with a property owner who furnishes shelter for a township
assistance recipient or household. The agreement must include the
following:
(1) The agreement's duration, not to exceed one hundred eighty
(180) days.
(2) A statement that the agreement may be renewed if both parties
agree.
(3) The total value of the encumbered money, not to exceed the
value of one (1) month's rental payment.
(4) A statement signed by both the trustee and the property owner
attesting to the condition of the property at the time the agreement
is made.
(5) A statement that encumbered money may be used to pay the
cost of:
(A) verified damages, normal wear excluded, caused by the
tenant township assistance recipient during the duration of the
agreement; and
(B) any unpaid rental payments for which the tenant township
assistance recipient is obligated.
(6) A statement that the total amount to be paid from the
encumbered money may not exceed one (1) month's rental
payment for the unit in question.
(g) A trustee is not required to provide shelter assistance to an
otherwise eligible individual if the:
(1) individual's most recent residence was provided by the
individual's parent, guardian, or foster parent; and
(2) individual, without just cause, leaves that residence for the
shelter for which the individual seeks assistance.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.51-1996, SEC.62. Amended by P.L.73-2005, SEC.80.