Housing and Shelters
Fort Wayne Housing Authority
The Fort Wayne Housing Authority (FWHA) provides safe, affordable housing to individuals and families in the Fort Wayne community. FWHA owns and manages more than 800 affordable housing units and administers over 3,000 Housing Choice Vouchers, serving more than 3,500 families and nearly 9,000 residents.
FWHA is supported by a staff of nearly 60 housing, maintenance, and social service professionals who work collaboratively with community partners to connect residents with supportive resources. These partnerships are designed to empower residents and enhance overall quality of life.
Their Programs including affordable housing, housing choice vouchers and community resources.
Affordable Housing The Fort Wayne Housing Authority (FWHA) owns and manages approximately 750 public housing units located throughout the City of Fort Wayne. Under the public housing program, FWHA serves as the landlord for these properties. Rent is determined individually for each household and is based on the family’s anticipated annual adjusted income. They also offer Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and Conventional housing options. These units are located throughout the city of Fort Wayne and provide safe, quality, affordable homes for income-eligible individuals and families.
Housing choice vouchers The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8) helps eligible low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities afford safe, decent housing in the private market. Participants receive a housing voucher and are responsible for finding a suitable rental unit, including single-family homes, townhomes, or apartments, where the property owner agrees to participate in the program. Housing may be newly selected or the participant’s current residence. All units must meet NSPIRE housing quality standards as determined by the Fort Wayne Housing Authority.
Community Resource List includes contact information for Township Trustees (In Indiana, the TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE is the office of government that is responsible for emergency assistance.)
IndianaHousingNow.com and AffordableHousing.com are search engines to discover affordable housing in Indiana.
Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Options
PublicHousing.com is a comprehensive resource for information on low income housing in the United States. Their website provides a guide to finding low income housing, how to qualify for low income housing, tips for finding low income housing, and a list of local low income housing apartments by state and city. Use the link below to search their state-wide housing index to find affordable and subsidized housing in Indiana.
Brightpoint
Offers Housing Choice Voucher and Permanent Supportive Housing Programs that assist with household rent. Clients must be HUD defined homeless and disabled including the following: seriously mentally ill, recovering drug or alcohol users, or HIV-positive and in treatment for their condition.
Learn more about Brightpoint housing options
227 E Washington Blvd
Fort Wayne 46802
800-589-3506 or 260-423-3546 (use ext. 332) for or homeless seeking housing—leave a message)
Additional programs Brightpoint offers include:
- Health insurance application assistance
- Utilities assistance
- Family self-sufficiency
- Childcare help
- Head Start Program
Hope Alive
Residential Program for Women provides transitional housing with wraparound support services for women experiencing a mental health need and a housing crisis
- Offers safe, affordable housing in a campus setting with private bedrooms and shared living spaces
- Includes weekly counseling with a licensed therapist
- Provides intensive case management, support groups, and life-skills programming
- Focuses on whole-person wellness, including mental health, independent living skills, and long-term stability
- Requires completion of an application process and willingness to engage in program services
- Rent is set on a sliding scale, beginning at approximately $300 per month and increasing gradually over time
1747 N. Wells Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 420-6100
hopealive@hopealivefortwayne.org
St. Joseph Missions Women’s Shelter
Provides emergency and temporary shelter and resources for single homeless women in a 24-hour staffed, safe, and secure location. The shelter, working in conjunction with existing community programs and services, integrates case management, work- and life-skills development, and a peer support strategy.
Residents attend their choice of Life-Skills groups which include topics such as addiction recovery, mental health management, employment and education supports, healthy living with exercise and nutrition.
3505 Lake Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
(260) 200-3774
Fort Wayne Rescue Mission
Provides restorative care to men, women, and children experiencing a homeless crisis in Fort Wayne, Allen County, and the eleven surrounding counties.
Emergency Housing Ministry for Men — provides emergency housing for men for up to 30 days. Basic needs, life coaches, and ongoing spiritual support are provided at no cost.
Short-Term residential program: Typically 3-6 months. Comes alongside men as they seek employment, obtain housing and work toward other goals.
Long-Term residential program: Up to 1 year. Intensive services enable men to move past the root causes of homelessness. Includes education on anger management, life skills, job readiness, and spiritual growth.
Fresh Start residential program: A blend of Short Term and Long Term programming, typically 6-9 months. This program offers the opportunity to continue one’s recovery journey through services while working towards employment and housing.
Emergency Housing Ministry for Women — The Rescue Mission provides emergency housing for women (30+ beds) for up to 30 days and also provides basic needs, life coaches, and ongoing spiritual support at no cost.
Community Meals Program—Free meals are open to the public at 7:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 5:00 pm daily for men, women, and children of all ages.
Fort Wayne Rescue Mission Website
404 E Washington Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
260-426-7357
Charis House
Provides short- (3-6 months) and long- (up to 2 years) term programs for women & children. Staff is on site 24/7. Must apply by calling ahead to complete a telephone interview and determine eligibility.
Normal business hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.
431 Fairmount Pl.
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-426-8123
Connect Allen County
A “no wrong door” access center easing the way for community resources and supports including counseling, family support, food, healthcare, housing and more.
201 East Rudisill Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
260-901-5480
Just Neighbors – Interfaith Homeless Network
Provides shelter and emergency housing for homeless families in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
2925 East State Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
260-458-9772
Apartments
The following apartments are for rent by households that are in the low to moderate income bracket whose head of household is clinically diagnosed with a mental illness ore is homeless with a disability.
Contact the apartment complex to check on availability and apply for housing.
Waynedale Apartments
3321 Thurber Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46809
260-747-0880
Waynedale Apartments II
7520 Ideal Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46809
260-747-0880
Seddlemeyer Apartments
1930 Seddlemeyer Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46818
260-387-6509
Woodside Apartments
1515 Woodside Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
260-387-6509
Richardville Apartments
4960 Winchester Road
Fort Wayne, In 46819
260-479-2444
Ouabache Village Apartments
401 E. State Street
Bluffton, IN 46714
260-353-3180
Street Outreach
Provides a variety of resources that may include unhoused kits, hygiene kits, harm reduction kits, emergency food items, sleeping bags, book bags and more. Sponsored by H. A. R. T. Hope and Recovery Team, Same City, the Lutheran Foundation, project.ME, The Rescue Mission, Connect Allen County, Trinity English Lutheran Church and Positive Resource Connection.
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from November through the end of March
The Rescue Mission parking lot and alley
404 E Washington Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Trinity English Lutheran Church lobby
450 E Washington Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
