DES MOINES – Iowa renters can now apply for assistance with rent and/or utility payments through the Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program. Program details and the application is available at iowahousingrecovery.com.
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE:
• Rent Payments (Past Due Payments)
• Utility Payments (Past Due Payments)
• Up to 12 Months Combined Rent & Utility Assistance
LANDLORD APPLICATION PROCESS which can be initiated by either the tenant or the landlord:
• Sign-up to create an account
• Select “landlord”
• Select “start new application”
• Complete the required verification steps
Note that landlords will not see any applications in their dashboard until both landlord and tenant complete their applications (with a match being made). Matches are made on the address (which is validated by both landlord & tenant) and/or confirmation (case) number that is received in the email confirmation notice.
Landlords or renters with questions or in need of assistance should contact the Iowa Housing Recovery Helpline: 855-300-5885. Program details and the application is available at iowahousingrecovery.com
***IMPORTANT***
Polk County and the City of Des Moines: These regions are administering the program locally. Therefore, Iowans residing in either Polk County or the City of Des Moines will be ineligible to apply for the Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program. More information on the program that may assist Polk County and City of Des Moines residents is available at https://www.impactcap.org
Application Reviews: Applications that include a household member that has been unemployed for 90 days or more at the time of application or households with an annual income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income will be prioritized and reviewed first. Applications for rental assistance must have a landlord verification received prior to being considered complete and eligible for review.
Payment Timing: The first payments through the program are expected to be made to landlords and utility service providers beginning in late April. Landlords and utility providers are strongly encouraged to pause eviction proceedings and utility disconnections until application review is complete and payments can be made.
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This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award numbers ERA0184 and ERA0440 awarded to the Iowa Finance Authority by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
