The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) announced yesterday (Wednesday) more than $12 million in grants to 26 local trust funds for housing initiatives, over $400,000 of which is going to programs that operate within the listening area. Council of Governments Housing, Inc., which is a separate entity from the Region XII Council of Governments but managed by shared staff, was awarded $412,942. Region XII Housing Specialist Ashley Owen says these funds are used to assist low- to moderate-income residents in a variety of ways.
There are income qualifications for assistance that vary from county to county, but the funds must be used to benefit low- to moderate-income Iowans with housing. Owen says they do that locally primarily via assistance for home repair projects.
These types of unscheduled home repairs often carry a pretty hefty price tag for some families, and letting the problem go uncorrected could lead to the home deteriorating to the point that it is eventually removed from the housing stock entirely. Some housing trust funds used the grants to address homelessness in their service areas or implement rental assistance programs. COG Housing, Inc., has historically prioritised maintaining existing housing stock, and Owen says demand is ever-present.
COG Housing, Inc., also supports the construction of new residential units by working with developers to fill any financial gaps in their plans. Owen credits the region’s county and city leaders, as their support makes grants like this possible.
Low- to moderate-income residents in need of assistance with home repairs are encouraged to join the wait list as soon as possible. Owen says that can be completed online at www.region12cog.org/waiting-list-application or by calling COG Housing directly at 712-792-9914. Since its creation in 2003, the State Housing Trust Fund has contributed to nearly 42,000 Iowa households and leveraged an additional $130 million in other funding.
