Community Engagement
Indiana Public Radio goes beyond the reach of our airwaves through a variety of community engagement efforts.
The station hosts public events, spearheads classroom initiatives, leads station tours and develops lasting partnerships with organizations and groups in our listening area as part of our ongoing effort to be a catalyst for change in our community.
For more information about engaging activities, contact:
Community Engagement and Grants Manager
(765) 285-5888
Resources from Renter’s Workshop with Indiana Public Broadcasting and Indiana Legal Services
Information provided by Andrew Thomas, Housing Resource Attorney with Indiana Legal Services, Inc.; Yvonne Thompson, Director of Muncie Human Rights Commission; and Indiana Public Broadcasting (January 24, 2023)
For help with a civil, legal issue, complete an intake with Indiana Legal Services by calling 1-844-243-8570, Mon.-Fri. from 10am-2pm (EST) or via the online form here.
Indiana Renter Rights and Responsibilities [PDF]
Landlord and Tenant Settlement Conference Program from Indiana Supreme Court [PDF]
List of Statewide Housing Resources [PDF]
“Renting in Indiana” handbook for tenants and landlords from Indiana Legal Services
Smart Renter Checklist from Housing4Hoosiers.org, a program of Prosperity Indiana
Energy and Water Assistance Program – The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) can help qualifying households with these utility costs. Program applications are available now. Find updates and apply at IHCDA’s website here. You can also contact your local service provider for help, especially if you have received a disconnection notice or have been disconnected. You can find who that is at the website or by calling 211.
Avoiding scams from rental advertisements online:
- https://housing4hoosiers.org/get-your-housing/find-it/how-should-i-avoid-scams/
- https://www.usa.gov/housing-scams
Muncie-specific information
Yvonne Thompson, Director of Muncie Human Right Commission – ythompson@cityofmuncie.com / 765-747-4854
- Muncie Human Rights Commission can help with federally funded programs. They also have a relationship with the Delaware County Superior Court. They can help if there is a need for an extension with your case.
- For habitability issues in Muncie, such as mold and leaks, contact the building commissioner’s office. You can reach them online or by phone at (765) 747-4862. The office also keeps the Muncie rental ordinance.
- Pathstone is a Muncie nonprofit that has rental advocates to help renters. Can help with rent and utility assistance. Reach them at (765) 286-2162, https://pathstoneindiana.org/, or email Carol Jackson directly at caroljackson@pathstone.org.
- Click here to access Muncie’s The Renter’s Book for free
Basic tips for renter’s
- Try your best to communicate with your landlord
- Have your lease available
- Make sure everything is in writing
- Do a walk-through of your rental beforehand and note problems
- Take pictures of problems at the property yourself
- The health department is mostly only concerned about people having running water, not hot water
- Talk to your legislators to tell them what changes you’d like to see to housing policy (https://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/)
One more useful tool may be to connect with a housing counselor in your area. You can search for a counselor through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
In addition to calling 2-1-1, there are two resource databases that may be useful: https://www.findhelp.org/ and https://in211.communityos.org/
Upcoming events in the community…