Sec. 17. (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.

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