Iowa was among the states with the highest average rent increase in the country in 2023. With the cost of housing going up and wages remaining stagnant, even the most cautious of renters can find themselves in an emergency situation where they are unable to make rent. Fortunately, there are programs and community organizations across Iowa working hard to help families stay in their homes.

Eligibility for Emergency Rental Assistance Programs in Iowa

Though each program’s requirements may vary somewhat, you are likely eligible for some sort of rent assistance in Iowa if one or more of the following applies to you:

Your income is at or below 80% of the median for your area.
You recently became unemployed and will temporarily not have enough money to make rent.
You can demonstrate significant financial hardship due to some other emergency situation.

Renters who are particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with children, are generally prioritized for emergency rent assistance.

Statewide Rental Assistance Programs

Here’s some information about each of the statewide emergency rental assistance programs available to Iowa residents.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Several Iowa counties participate in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which is a nationwide program to help those struggling to make rent. The state of Iowa works with IMPACT, a community action organization, in order to process applications and distribute aid to Iowa renters who need it.

At this time, this program is only able to provide one month of rent assistance at a time. For longer-term assistance, your family may be assigned to a caseworker to help navigate other housing options. IMPACT also provides other essential services including food and utility assistance, which may help your family to sustain enough financial resources to make rent overall.

Home and Community Based Rent Subsidy Program

The Iowa Finance Authority coordinates the Home and Community Based Rent Subsidy program, which provides monthly rent assistance for a limited period of time. Those receiving any other form of rent assistance are not eligible for this program. If you do not qualify for other rental assistance programs, this may be a good option for you.

Central Iowa Community Services

Central Iowa Community Services (CICS) is a charity organization specifically designed for those with Behavioral Health Issues and intellectual disabilities. CICS provides several resources and services including emergency financial support across 15 Iowa counties.

Iowa Veterans Trust Fund

If you or someone else in your household is a veteran, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund. This program offers support for a variety of expenses, including rent. To qualify, you must be a veteran and your household must earn 300% of the federal poverty line or lower based on household size.

Family Investment Program

This is Iowa’s version of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). This program is available to households with children under the age of 18, whether it’s a one- or two-parent family or other relatives caring for children without parents in the home. You can receive payments for up to five years, after which you will need a hardship exemption to continue receiving payments.

County Rental Assistance Programs

Most rental assistance programs in Iowa are focused on a specific county or area. This allows organizations to provide location-specific assistance and account for the unique needs of their communities. Here are some examples of valuable county-specific emergency rental assistance programs in Iowa.

Des Moines

In the Des Moines area, CROSS Outreach is a small nonprofit that may be able to provide temporary rent assistance. Because it is a private organization that relies on donations, aid is not guaranteed and is given based on need and availability.

Poweshiek

In Poweshiek County, there is aid available for families who are not already receiving assistance through subsidized housing. The county provides aid of up to $200 per month for families with no children and up to $325 per month for families with children.

Johnson

The Johnson County General Assistance program has financial assistance available for needy families in the region. This short-term financial aid can go toward rent or other essentials like utilities, prescriptions, or transportation.

Linn

In Linn County, St Vincent de Paul Cedar Rapids can provide rent and utility assistance for those who bring in a physical copy of their signed lease. This type of assistance is available up to one time every six months for renters in need.

Other Counties

In general, most social assistance in Iowa is small-scale. There are countless grassroots organizations within Iowa that help to provide whatever aid they can to those who need it. If you don’t see your county listed above, you can search the Affordable Housing Hub to find emergency rental assistance programs near you.

For further information and to explore potential options for emergency rental assistance, contact us at contact@affordablehousinghub.org