Iowa Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

Iowa ERAP Treasury Programs:

• IOWA RENT AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Iowa Finance Authority will be administering $195 million in rent and utility assistance through the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program, known as the Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program, may provide eligible Iowans with assistance for a period of up to twelve months.

Iowa CARES+ Programs:

• COVID-19 Iowa Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program

Governor Reynolds has allocated federal CARES Act funds to assist Iowans who have been economically impacted by COVID-19 and may be facing housing hardships. This program will provide short-term relief to income-eligible renters and homeowners who are at risk of eviction or foreclosure.

• Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (COVID-19): City of Davenport

The City of Davenport is also offering a program to help renters during the pandemic. Applicants may get up to $1,000 in rental assistance each month for three months.

• Homelessness Prevention Program: Des Moines City

The Des Moines City Council has allocated funding for homeless prevention assistance and mortgage payment assistance, which will be administered by HOME, Inc. and IMPACT Community Action Partnership. In May, the city of Des Moines allocated $600,000 for COVID-19 rent relief, which came from the CDBG-CV and ESG-CV funding. In December, they agreed to put $500,000 toward another round of funds, which will come from the City’s second round of ESG-CV funding.

• From Our Home to Yours: Iowa City

Iowa City Council joined Johnson County in funding a relief program aimed at assisting mostly immigrant and refugee families experiencing financial strain due to the pandemic. The council approved a request to allocate $25,000 from a fund set aside for promoting housing affordability. Separately, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors approved a $40,000 request for the program.

• Emergency Assistance Related to the Coronavirus Pandemic: City of West Des Moines

The City of West Des Moines has been allocated funds from the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The City will use the majority of these funds to provide assistance with rent, mortgage and/or utilities for vulnerable residents from low and moderate income households who may be subject to eviction, foreclosure or utility disconnect because of job loss related to COVID-19.