At a press conference on Wednesday, March 24, Governor Kim Reynolds announced two new programs to combat homelessness and housing insecurity in the wake the pandemic.

The Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program will provide eligible COVID-19 impacted renters with rent and/or utility assistance for a total of up to 12 months and the Iowa Homeowner Foreclosure Prevention Program will provide eligible homeowners at imminent risk of eviction with mortgage assistance.

“Even though Iowa is well on its way to recovery from the pandemic, too many families continue to feel its impact through financial hardship,” Reynolds said. “For those who lost income due to COVID-19 and are unable to pay their mortgage, rent or utility bills, the possibility of losing their home to foreclosure or eviction is a harsh reality. And the long-term financial and emotional consequences can be devastating.”

The Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program is funded through a $195 million allocation made to the Iowa Finance Authority through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, administered by the department of treasury. The program was enacted by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which was passed by congress late last year.

Rent assistance available through the program can include past due payments and up to three months of future assistance requested at a time. The utility assistance can include past due payments only. All rent and utility assistance must be for cost incurred no earlier than March 13, 2020.

To be eligible for assistance, renters and households must have a household income of no more than 80% of the area median income which will be calculated automatically as part of the application process. Additionally, one or more individuals in the household must have either qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction of household income, incurred significant cost or experienced other financial hardships due directly or indirectly to COVID. The household must also be able to demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing instability.

To apply for the Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program, visit www.iowahousingrecovery.com. Applications opened on March 29, 2021.

The Iowa Homeowner Foreclosure Prevention Program also opened applications on March 29. Mortgage assistance available through the program can include up to four months or a maximum of $3,600 per eligible household. Eligibility for this program is similar to the Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program, with homeowners showing they are at risk of foreclosure due to a documented COVID-19-related loss of income on or after March 13, 2020 and household income not exceeding 80% of the area median income.

To apply for the Iowa Homeowner Foreclosure Prevention Program, visit www.iowahousingrecovery.com.