Housing Information

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Assistance Programs
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Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program (DRTHP)

The goal of the Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program (DRTHP) is to provide temporary sheltering options for eligible disaster survivors as they pursue long term housing solutions. For this program, housing options may include recreational vehicles and travel trailers, for up to six months at no cost for Iowans whose homes were majorly damaged, destroyed, or deemed not habitable in counties currently under a federal disaster declaration. 

The following counties are currently eligible: Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Harrison, Humboldt, Jasper, Lyon, Montgomery, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Story, Union, and Woodbury. The recovery process and damage assessments are still ongoing and additional counties may become eligible. 

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State Disaster Recovery New Housing Grant Program

The goal of the State Disaster Recovery New Housing Grant Program is to provide financial assistance for the development of for sale and rental housing in cities impacted by disasters in the following counties: Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Harrison, Humboldt, Jasper, Lyon, Mills, Montgomery, O’Brien, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Union, and Woodbury.*

*Additional counties may be added. A map of counties, including those approved for FEMA Individual Assistance, as required for this program, is available.

  • $10M funding is available (ARPA).
  • Application is OPEN here: iowagrants.gov.
  • For housing developers to build single-family, duplex and townhouse units in counties declared for FEMA Individual Assistance (IA).
  • The program is managed by Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), and awards will be announced on a rolling basis through the end of 2024.
  • The grant will provide up to $50,000 per unit with a max project award of $1 million.
  • Housing units must be for owner or renter-occupied permanent residence.
  • Project cost caps are $298,021 per single-family unit and $241,643 per multi-family unit.
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Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program

The Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program will provide financial assistance to eligible homeowners affected by recent natural disasters, helping them to expedite repairs to their homes. 

Eligible homes must be located in a county approved for FEMA Individual Assistance following the three presidentially declared natural disasters this spring and summer. These counties currently include Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Harrison, Humboldt, Jasper, Lyon, Mills, Montgomery, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Story Union and Woodbury.*

*Additional counties may be added. A map of counties, including those approved for FEMA Individual Assistance, as required for this program, is available.

  • $6.46M funding through transfer authorization.
  • Application is OPEN on iowagrants.gov.
  • Established by the legislature in 2021.
  • Governor proclamation activates the program for specific counties impacted by disaster.
  • Program managed by Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and addresses unmet housing recovery needs that fall beyond the scope of insurance coverage and FEMA Individual Assistance following a disaster.
  • Assistance provided in the form of a 5-year forgivable loan.

  • Maximum award $50,000 for repair/rehab of the disaster-affected home.

    Interested homeowners must:

  1.  First file an insurance claim if insurance is present and provide documentation of approval or denial of that claim;
  2. Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance,  and received a Housing Assistance award and then;

  3.  Apply for the DRHAP program if there are unmet home repair needs.

     

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Homes for Iowa

  • Iowa Prison Industries, through Homes for Iowa (HFI), has 5 homes available within the next 120 days for counties covered by a disaster proclamation.
  • Homes are available on first come, first serve basis for purchase by cities/counties, foundations, non-profits/NGOs.
  • Each Home is 3BR/2BA, 1,200 Sq. Ft.
  • Cost: $95,000/home to community.
  • Future homeowner responsible for providing lot grading, excavation, foundation, utilities, and appliances/furnishings.
  • Housing units must be for owner or renter-occupied permanent residence.
  • Received ARP investment in 2021 to expand operations at the Newton Correctional Facility.
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Habitat for Humanity

Through partnerships with AmeriCorps, Volunteer Iowa, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Finance Authority, and other key partners, the  Habitat Iowa AmeriCorps Mobile Response Team was formed in 2018.

The team is trained in disaster construction techniques, volunteer engagement, and is ready to respond to disasters anywhere in Iowa.

  • Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs is targeting to build 5 new homes in Minden, Iowa, this year.
  • Additionally, Habitat for Humanity will be rebuilding and repairing homes in NW Iowa flood-impacted communities; long-term plan is still being coordinated with local community partners.
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FEMA Individual Assistance

  • FEMA’s Individual Assistance program provides financial assistance to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs.
  • Individuals in counties declared for FEMA Individual Assistance can apply for assistance from FEMA at disasterassistance.gov.
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FEMA Rental Assistance

FEMA Rental Assistance can help cover temporary housing costs. You can use this money to rent a place to live, such as a house, apartment, hotel room, RV or other options while your home is repaired, or you look for a new place to live.

Ask for Rental Assistance by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.

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Direct Housing

  • Application has been submitted and is awaiting FEMA approval.
  • Administered by FEMA when requested by the state. FEMA will place eligible individuals in housing for up to 18 months.
  • Housing includes mobile homes placed on private sites, parks, or newly constructed group sites; direct leasing of available housing stock; vacant multi-family properties.
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