(Des Moines, IA) -- The state of Iowa is launching two housing assistance programs for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Iowa and Rent Assistance and Utilities Assistance program is for eligible Iowans needing help with past-due rent and bills for a combined total of 12-months. The funding is part of a $195 million federal allocation.
The program is for past due payments, up to three months at a time. Funding is available for past-due utility payments only, including electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, water, sewer and/or trash removal and is for costs incurred no earlier than March 13th, 2020.
Those eligible must have a household income of no more than 80-percent of the area's local median income and one or members in the household must have qualified for jobless benefits or incurred financial hardships due to the pandemic. Those eligible will need to demonstrate risk of housing instability or homelessness.
The state program will be available to all residents, but will not duplicate existing programs at the county or city level, unless those programs run out of funding.
Renters are asked to notify their landlords of their application, because landlords will need to complete part of the application to initiate processing. Payments will be made to landlords or utilities.
Debi Durham, Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority says the Foreclosure Assistance Program is for up to four months, with a maximum of $3,600 per eligible household.
The programs will open Monday, March 29 at 2 p.m.
More details can be found at www.iowahousingrecovery.com
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