Iowa eviction and homeless prevention programs.
Funds to prevent an eviction are available in Iowa for struggling and very low income families. There are also programs to rehouse the homeless, pay for security deposits, and even help homeowners avoid a foreclosure. Most of these resources listed below are provided using the federal government emergency solution grants (ESG) program. These are issued by HUD to assist income qualified residents that are facing imminent homelessness.
Iowa as well as the non-profits and charities that administer the federal resources offer housing programs and in general work to prevent homelessness. They would rather ensure people are able to remain living in their current home rather than have to shelter or rehouse individuals. So that is the objective of these and other programs.
Any type of financial aid paid out is intended for homeless prevention, with a focus on renters. However, ESG grants can be used for a number of other housing needs as well. This includes to provide shelter, pay for transitional or low income housing, and more. Many of the non-profit agencies will also provide funds to pay for first months rent or a security deposit on a new apartment. Many different state of Iowa and federal government services also work to prevent homelessness or rehouse tenants in a crisis.
While short term, emergency financial aid may be issued to pay a portion of back rent, it is limited. Most of the non-profits will therefore offer other support to those with an eviction notice or offer credit repair services. The help can include some or allow of the following.
- Free legal aid and representation – Attorneys and paralegals from pro-bono firms will take a legal approach to stopping evictions.
- Case management – Tenants and homeowners will work with a counselor to help them achieve self-sufficiency, such as employment or credit repair.
- Referrals – Learn about other community services, such as low cost child care, education, employment assistance, job placement, food pantries and more.
- Landlord mediation – Staff will work with the tenant and the landlord to find a solution to keep people housed.
- Loan programs – Iowa agencies may offer zero percent interest loans for rent and housing expenses. Note, these will need to be repaid over time, and they can be affordable. Find more information on no credit loans.
- Foreclosure counseling – This of course is offered to homeowners in Iowa. Staff from agencies work with lenders and homeowners.
Individuals or families that are currently homeless may receive help as well. Federal government funds that are issued as part of ESG - Emergency solution grants or the continuum of care provide shelter, transitional, and low income housing to homeless families in Iowa. Another use of the funds is on paying security deposits on a new apartment or residence in Iowa. Some of the sites are even focused on meeting the needs of veterans or other groups, such as the disabled.
Homeless residents can also take part in so called rehousing. This is when a local non-profit will provide assistance such as case management or one time financial aid to pay for first months rent. Or funds to pay for moving costs or a security deposit may be offered.
Whether someone is behind on their rent or was evicted and needs a place to live, case management services are administered. A social worker or specialist will work with the client to help them find a job, rebuild their credit, or tackle other challenges. Staff will also help participants locate affordable homes or apartments to live in.
There are housing and eviction prevention programs offered for certain situations as well. Some of the community action agencies in Iowa participate in Supportive Services for Veteran Families, which will help veterans as well as their families pay their rent, find employment, or it will provide assistance with a security deposit.
There are also emergency shelters and case management services for victims of domestic violence, whether that is a women or a child. Other rent or housing assistance is available for single parents in Iowa as well as the disabled.
Regional homeless prevention agencies
There are numerous non-profits listed below. Each may have some form of grants for paying rent, security deposits, or vouchers for motel rooms among other services. However there are also local, county-wide programs that also try to stop evictions, and those other options are as follows.
Agencies that administer homeless and programs to help with evictions
The resources available at each non-profit or charity will vary in Iowa. However, some of the main organizations to contact for assistance, or referrals, include the following.
Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support
Boone, Iowa 50036
Telephone number to dial for information is (515) 432-3606
Counties - Ames, Story, Boone, Greene, Marshall, and also Tama.
Catherine McAuley Center
Address: 66 4th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403
(319) 363-4993
Counties supported are Cedar Rapids as well as Linn.
Catholic Council for Social Concern
Des Moines, Polk, Pottawattamie, Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Shelby
Call them for information on rent programs for stopping evictions.
Cedar Valley Friends of the Family, Waverly
PO Box 784, Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-0037
Counties include Bremer, Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard, Jones, Winneshiek, and Clayton.
Community Action Agency of Siouxland
2700 Leech Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106
Phone number is (712) 274-1610
The Sioux City and Woodbury region is supported.
Community Action of Southeast Iowa
2850 E Mt Pleasant St #108, Burlington, Iowa 52601
(319) 753-0193
Low income families in Burlington, Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Louisa can call for information on how to stop an eviction.
Crisis Intervention & Advocacy Center
Counties - Adel, Dallas, Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Madison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Taylor, as well as Union.
Crisis Intervention Services
Iowa counties supported - Oskaloosa, Mahaska, Davis, Jasper, Jefferson, Lucas, Marion, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello, Wayne, Appanoose
Domestic Violence Intervention Program
Region and counties supported - Iowa City, Johnson, Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Keokuk, Lee, Van Buren, Washington
Domestic/ Sexual Assault Outreach Center
Fort Dodge, Webster, Boone, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt, Kossuth, Marshall, Mitchell, Story, Tama, Winnebago, Worth, Wright
Family Resources
Main address is 2800 Eastern Avenue
Davenport, IA 52803
Dial 563.326.6431
Region includes Davenport, Scott, Louisa, and Muscatine County. Whether the tenant is behind on their rent or heating bills, or has some other challenge, eviction help may be arranged.
Hawthorn Hill
3001 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 283-1911
Counties and city - Des Moines, Polk.
The homeless can look into transitional housing as well as grants for paying a security deposit on a new home in the Des Moines area.
Heartland Family Service
402-553-3000
Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County.
Housing Opportunities Made Easy
Main address - 1111 Ninth Street Suite 210
Des Moines, IA 50314
Telephone - 515-243-1277
Counties - Des Moines, Polk
Humility of Mary Housing
3805 Mississippi Ave, Davenport, IA 52807
(563) 326-1330
Support is for both Davenport and Scott.
Humility of Mary Shelter
1016 W 5th St, Davenport, Iowa 52802
Telephone - (563) 322-8065
Counties - Davenport, Scott
Iowa Legal Aid
1-800-532-1275
Legal aid and landlord mediation is available in Des Moines, Polk, and really all Counties across Iowa.
MICAH House
1415 Avenue J, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Dial - (712) 323-4416
Assistance is for the region of Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Adair, Cass, Crawford, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, and Shelby.
North Iowa Community Action Organization
Main location is 1190 Briarstone Dr #2, Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-7766
Counties include - Mason City, Cerro Gordo, Butler, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, and Worth.
Shelter House
Address is 429 Southgate Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240
Dial (319) 351-0326
Iowa City, Johnson County.
Upper Des Moines Opportunity
101 W Robbins St, Graettinger, IA 51342
Call (712) 859-3885
County - Graettinger, Buena Vista, Clay, Hamilton, and Webster.
Waypoint Services
Address: 318 5th St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Main phone - (319) 365-1458
Regions and counties are Cedar Rapids, Linn.
Based on funding, there may be one time utility or rental deposit help for the homeless that are stable, referrals, and advice from counselors.
Youth and Shelter Services
Mailing address is P.O. Box 1628
Ames, Iowa 50010
Phone: (515) 233-3141
County - Ames, Story, Boone, Marshall, Polk.
Emergency rent assistance for qualified families with eviction notices as well as case management and tenant support services.
YWCA Clinton
317 7th Ave S
Clinton, Iowa 52732
563-242-2110
Counties - Clinton, Jackson
YWCA Fort Dodge
826 1st Ave N, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Phone: (515) 573-3931
Low income families in the following counties can call this charity. It supports Webster, Boone, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Dickinson, Emmet, Greene, Cherokee, Hamilton, Humboldt, Jefferson, Kossuth, Monona, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Sac, Ida, Pottawattamie, Sioux, Story, Wright, and Woodbury.
|
