Indiana guidance. Status unknown, call to confirm.

Leaving a shelter or transitional housing in Indiana

Plan your exit day before your stay ends. Ask about coordinated entry and housing vouchers, and keep your phone and benefits contact up to date. A referral is not a place to stay until the program confirms it.

1. Step 1: Plan the day you leave

   Ask staff for your exit date and where you will go next. If no place is confirmed, contact Indiana 211 before that day: dial 2-1-1 or 866-211-9966 any time, or text your ZIP code to 898-211, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 211 can refer you for housing and utility help.

   • Indiana FSSA: Indiana 211 says: “Dial 2-1-1 or 866-211-9966 (available 24/7)” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • Indiana FSSA: Indiana 211 says: “Text your ZIP code to 898-211 (available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • Indiana FSSA: Indiana 211 says: “Housing and utility assistance” (checked 2026-10-15)

2. Step 2: Ask about coordinated entry

   Indiana's homeless system uses coordinated entry: one intake, assessment and referral process that puts people with the greatest need first. Ask shelter staff whether you have had a housing assessment and where your referral stands.

   • IHCDA: Indiana Balance of State CoC: Coordinated Entry System says: “centralized or coordinated process designed to coordinate program participant intake assessment and provision of referrals” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Indiana Balance of State CoC: Coordinated Entry System says: “Coordinated entry processes help communities prioritize assistance based on vulnerability and severity of service needs” (checked 2026-10-15)

3. Step 3: Apply for a Housing Choice Voucher

   Voucher waiting lists are run by local housing authorities. IHCDA covers areas without a city housing authority, but not Indianapolis or Marion County. Use IHCDA's map to find the provider for the area where you want to live. Waiting lists open at different times in different areas.

   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “please click on the map link below to find the service provider for the area where you wish to live.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “Any area in Indiana that does not have a local, city-based housing authority falls under IHCDA’s jurisdiction.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “IHCDA does not cover the city of Indianapolis or Marion County.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List Opens in Sullivan County” (checked 2026-10-15)

4. Step 4: Ask about vouchers that come by referral

   Some vouchers come only by referral. Stability Vouchers come through coordinated entry. Veterans get VASH vouchers through the VA; the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is 1-877-4AID-VET. Young people aging out of foster care can be referred by DCS for FUP vouchers. Mainstream vouchers are for people 18 to 61 with a disability, by referral.

   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “Stability Vouchers are issued by HUD upon identification and referral through the Coordinated Entry system.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “VASH Vouchers are issued on a referral-only basis.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “If you need housing assistance, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1.877.4AID.VET” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “issued on a referral-only basis by the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) to individuals who are either aging out of foster care” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “Mainstream and NED vouchers are issued on a referral-only basis for persons 18 - 61 years old who are living with a disability.” (checked 2026-10-15)

5. Step 5: Keep your phone and benefits contact current

   If you get SNAP, TANF or Medicaid, report a new address or phone number through the FSSA Benefits Portal. For portal help, call 800-403-0864. Lifeline is a phone discount that can apply to a cellphone; ask a phone carrier whether it takes part.

   • Indiana FSSA: Create a Benefits Portal account says: “apply for and manage benefits, check case status, or report changes” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • Indiana FSSA: Create a Benefits Portal account says: “Report changes (Example: income, address, contacts, etc.)” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • Indiana FSSA: Create a Benefits Portal account says: “please contact 800-403-0864 and choose the option for Benefits Portal Technical Support.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission: Customer Assistance says: “a discount on monthly charges from their primary home phone line, even if it’s a cellphone” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission: Customer Assistance says: “To apply, contact the telephone carrier of your choice and ask if the carrier participates in the Lifeline program.” (checked 2026-10-15)

6. Step 6: If you are leaving because of domestic violence

   If you are in danger now, call 911. Ask your domestic violence advocate about coordinated entry; Indiana has an anonymous referral form for survivors. Stability Vouchers include people fleeing domestic violence.

   • Indiana FSSA DMHA: 988 Indiana says: “911 remains available for police, fire, and medical emergencies.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Indiana Balance of State CoC: Coordinated Entry System says: “DV CE Referral Form - Anonymous” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “who are fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking” (checked 2026-10-15)

7. Step 7: Keep each application moving

   Many shelters and transitional housing programs also offer case management, referrals and rental assistance; ask your case manager who follows up on each application. If you disagree with a voucher decision, raise it with your case manager in writing first, then appeal by writing to Section8@ihcda.in.gov.

   • IHCDA: Indiana Balance of State CoC: Emergency Solutions Grant says: “many also provide case management, referrals, rental assistance, and other services” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “Step 1: Communicate with your case manager about the issue, preferably in writing via mail or email.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • IHCDA: Applying for an HCV Voucher says: “Step 2: Contact IHCDA for an appeal by writing to Section8@ihcda.in.gov” (checked 2026-10-15)

Status unknown, call to confirm. Dial 2-1-1 or 866-211-9966 for current shelter and housing help.

• Indiana FSSA: Indiana 211 says: “Dial 2-1-1 or 866-211-9966 (available 24/7)” (checked 2026-10-15)

Not legal advice. The agency or program decides what applies to your situation.