Rent Assistance in Allen County, Indiana
Last Updated: August 2026
If you’re behind on rent or facing eviction in Allen County, several programs may be able to help. Start looking for assistance as soon as you know you can’t make the payment—don’t wait until the eviction date.
Quick Answer
Your township trustee is one of the most important places to start for emergency rent assistance in Allen County.
Find Your Allen County Township Trustee
If you’re homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, contact:
Brightpoint Coordinated Entry
Phone: 260-423-3546 ext. 332
View Brightpoint Housing Assistance
You can also dial 211 and ask for current rent-assistance programs in Allen County.
Township Trustee Rent Assistance
Indiana township trustees provide emergency assistance with basic necessities for qualifying residents.
Depending on your situation and township, assistance may include:
- Rent
- Utilities
- Shelter
- Food
- Other essential needs
You must apply through the township where you live.
Allen County has 20 township trustees.
Wayne Township Rent Assistance
If you live in Wayne Township, contact:
Wayne Township Trustee Office
320 E. Superior Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: 260-449-7000
Apply for Wayne Township Assistance
Wayne Township evaluates assistance applications case by case and has income and documentation requirements.
Don’t assume that living in Fort Wayne automatically means Wayne Township. Check your township before applying.
What Will the Trustee Ask For?
Requirements vary by township, but you may need documents such as:
- Photo ID
- Social Security cards for household members
- Proof of household income
- Lease
- Landlord information
- Rent ledger or statement
- Eviction notice, if applicable
- Bank information
- Utility bills
- Proof of other benefits
- Recent tax or wage information
The trustee may also require you to apply for other assistance programs for which you may qualify.
Call your township office before visiting so you know exactly what to bring.
Brightpoint Housing Assistance
Brightpoint operates several housing programs serving Allen County.
Brightpoint
227 E. Washington Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: 260-423-3546
Programs may include:
- Housing Solutions
- Coordinated Entry
- Permanent Supportive Housing
- Veteran housing assistance
- Housing Choice Vouchers in qualifying areas
View Brightpoint Housing Assistance
Housing Solutions
Brightpoint’s Housing Solutions program provides short-term assistance for qualifying people experiencing a housing crisis.
Assistance may include help:
- Locating stable housing
- Paying housing-related costs
- Overcoming a temporary housing crisis
- Connecting with longer-term services
Eligibility and funding restrictions apply.
If you’re homeless or about to become homeless, call:
260-423-3546 ext. 332
Brightpoint states that someone will generally return Coordinated Entry messages within five business days, so don’t rely on this as your only option if your eviction is immediate.
Facing Eviction?
If an eviction case has already been filed, don’t ignore it.
Read every court notice carefully and attend your scheduled hearing.
You may also qualify for free legal assistance.
Indiana Legal Services – Fort Wayne
919 S. Harrison Street, Suite 200
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: 260-424-9155
Toll-Free: 888-442-8600
Indiana Legal Services handles qualifying housing and public-benefit matters.
Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
Another local legal resource is:
Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
347 W. Berry Street, Suite 101
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: 260-456-8972
The clinic may assist qualifying residents with issues including:
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Housing
- Foreclosure
- Public benefits
- Other civil legal matters
An intake process is required.
View Allen County Legal Service Providers
Just Neighbors Eviction Help
Just Neighbors works with families experiencing housing crises and also operates an Eviction Intervention Program.
Just Neighbors
2925 E. State Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Phone: 260-458-9772
If you’re a family facing eviction or homelessness, call and explain your situation.
Indiana 211
Rent-assistance funding can change quickly.
Dial:
2-1-1
and say:
“I’m behind on rent in Allen County and need rent assistance.”
If you’ve already received an eviction notice, tell them.
If there’s a court date, give them the date.
This helps 211 identify programs appropriate to the urgency of your situation.
Don’t Wait for an Eviction Notice
If you already know you won’t be able to pay the rent, start contacting programs now.
Waiting can make the problem harder because:
- Assistance funds may run out.
- Applications take time.
- Documentation may be required.
- Your landlord may already begin the eviction process.
- Some programs work better before homelessness occurs.
Talk to Your Landlord
If you can safely and reasonably do so, contact your landlord as soon as you know you’re going to be late.
Ask whether they will accept:
- A partial payment
- A payment arrangement
- Payment directly from an assistance program
- Additional time while an application is being processed
If an agency is considering helping with your rent, tell your landlord which program you’re working with.
Need Help With Both Rent & Utilities?
Tell the agency about both problems.
Township trustees and other community programs may evaluate multiple basic needs when reviewing your household situation.
For utility-specific programs:
If you’ve received a utility shutoff notice, have the notice available when applying.
Already Homeless?
If you’ve already lost your housing, rent assistance may no longer be the right program.
Instead, contact:
Brightpoint Coordinated Entry: 260-423-3546 ext. 332
and check:
Allen County Homeless Resources
Coordinated Entry can assess whether you may qualify for available homeless-housing programs.
Need Help With a Deposit?
If you’ve found a new apartment but can’t afford the move-in costs, ask specifically about:
- Security-deposit assistance
- First month’s rent
- Utility deposits
- Moving expenses
Brightpoint’s housing programs may cover certain housing-related costs for qualifying households, depending on the program and available funding.
Don’t assume that “rent assistance” only means paying past-due rent.
Rent Assistance for Veterans
Veterans facing eviction or homelessness may qualify for specialized housing programs.
Brightpoint operates Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), which assists qualifying veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
When calling Brightpoint or 211, tell them immediately that you’re a veteran.
What to Bring When Applying
Gather as much documentation as possible:
- Photo ID
- Lease
- Proof of income
- Rent statement or ledger
- Landlord contact information
- Eviction notice
- Court documents
- Utility bills
- Benefit letters
- Household-member information
- Recent bank information if required
If you’re missing something, call anyway. Ask what is required before assuming you can’t apply.
Watch for Rent-Assistance Scams
Be cautious if someone:
- Guarantees approval
- Charges a large upfront application fee
- Promises to stop an eviction immediately
- Asks you to pay using gift cards
- Claims they can move you to the top of a government housing list
Use established government agencies and nonprofit organizations whenever possible.
Local Tip
Try more than one resource.
Start with your township trustee, but also call 211 and Brightpoint if you’re at risk of losing your housing.
Different programs have different eligibility rules and funding. Being turned down by one organization doesn’t automatically mean you’re ineligible everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get help paying rent in Allen County?
Start with the township trustee serving your address. You can also contact Brightpoint and Indiana 211 for additional programs.
Can my township trustee pay my rent?
Township assistance may cover rent for qualifying households, depending on your circumstances, eligibility and the trustee’s assistance standards.
What if I’ve already received an eviction notice?
Apply for assistance immediately, attend any scheduled court hearing and consider contacting Indiana Legal Services or another local legal-assistance provider.
Does Brightpoint provide rent assistance?
Brightpoint operates housing programs that may provide short-term housing assistance and help with housing-related costs for qualifying households. Availability depends on the specific program and funding.
What if I’m already homeless?
Contact Brightpoint Coordinated Entry at 260-423-3546 ext. 332 and use the Allen County Homeless Resources page to find emergency shelter and housing programs.
Related Pages
Official Resources
- Allen County Township Trustees
- Brightpoint Housing Assistance
- Wayne Township Assistance
- Allen County Legal Service Providers
Summary
If you’re behind on rent in Allen County, contact your township trustee as soon as possible. Township assistance may help qualifying residents with rent and other basic necessities. You should also dial 211 for current rent-assistance programs. If you’re homeless or about to become homeless, contact Brightpoint Coordinated Entry at 260-423-3546 ext. 332. If an eviction case has already been filed, don’t ignore the court paperwork—attend the hearing and seek legal help if needed.