Resources For Households

COVID-19 Housing Assistance 3/29/21

Do you (or someone you know) need help paying rent, utility or mortgage bills due to COVID-19?
An online application for financial assistance is available at www.iowahousingrecovery.com.

​

ASSISTANCE WITH RENT PAYMENTS
Past due payments: Available for payments of costs incurred no earlier than March 13, 2020.
Future payments: Not available at this time.

​

ASSISTANCE WITH UTILITY PAYMENTS (renters only)
For electricity, natural gas, propane or fuel oil, water, sewer and/or trash removal. Available for utility payments of costs incurred no earlier than March 13, 2020. Payments will be made directly to landlords and utility service providers.

ASSISTANCE WITH MORTGAGE
Up to $3,600 for past due payments (4 months maximum).

​

Learn more about these assistance programs from Sara Barron, JCAHC Executive Director and Mayor of Iowa City Bruce Teague

If you want help applying for this assistance, there are many Johnson County sites offering in-person help!

Call any of these sites to schedule an appointment or learn about drop-in times:

Johnson County Social Services
(319) 356-6090

Coralville Public Library
(319) 248-1850

North Liberty Public Library
(319) 626-5701

Center for Worker Justice
(319) 594-7593

IC Compassion
(319) 330-9883

You'll need some paperwork and information in order to apply for the Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program.

• Proof of address and identity  If you have a driver license with your current address, that will work for both.

• A copy of your current lease

• A written past-due notice that lists the amounts owed. If you are applying for rent, you will need to get this from your landlord. Your utility bills with the current amount owed will work if you are applying for past-due water, electric, etc.

• Proof of income  This can be your 2020 tax form, your 2020 W-2s, the last 60 days of paystubs. Other statements of income may also work; a full list is on the website.

• The date of birth for everyone in your household, and social security numbers or ITINs for every adult in your household.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to submit your application for Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance until you have all of these documents ready.
 

​Also, please note: The cities of Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty are willing to wait for utility payments from the Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance before shutting off water, but potential recipients must contact their respective city and request forbearance (phone numbers and websites are listed on each utility bill).

​

Still looking for help? Johnson County has many other resources that may be able to assist you.

Community Housing Resources
 

Johnson County General Assistance
Rent, utilities assistance
319-356-6090
www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/dept_gen_asst.aspx?id=381
 

CommUnity Basic Needs Assistance
Housing and utilities assistance
319-351-0128
www.builtbycommunity.org

HACAP
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and emergency response funds for utilities
319-337-5765
www.hacap.org/energy

Shelter House
Shelter, eviction prevention, housing stability
319-351-0326
www.shelterhouseiowa.org

Iowa Legal Aid
Legal help with housing, including eviction
319-351-6570
iowalegalaid.org
 

Food Pantries

CommUnity Food Bank
1045 Highway 6 East, Iowa City
319-351-0128
www.builtbycommunity.org

Coralville Community Food Pantry
1002 5th Street, Coralville,
319-337-3663
www.coralvillefoodpantry.org

​

North Liberty Community Pantry
89 N Jones Blvd, North Liberty
(319) 626-2711
northlibertycommunitypantry.org

• Where can I get help with repairs for my home?

• My home is not ready for the weather, what do I do?

• Where can I learn about homeownership?​​

• I want to own my own home

• I can't afford a down payment on a home, what do I do?

• Where can I find an affordable place to rent?

• I cannot afford any rental units, what do I do?​

• I need furniture for my home, but I can't afford it right now

• I am returning from incarceration and I am having trouble finding a place to live​

• I can't afford to pay my bills right now​

• I live in a manufactured home and it is in need of repairs, who can help me?

• I live in a manufactured home community and I want to advocate for myself and my neighbors

• Where can I go if I need emergency shelter?

• I am an older adult and I want to continue living in my home

• ​I am looking for accessible housing that is affordable

• I am looking for specified affordable senior living

• I need help with language translation/interpretation

​

Where can I get help with repairs for my home?

• Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Helping Hands​​ Home Repair Program

• Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County - Home Rehab Loan Program

• City of Iowa City ​General Rehab and Improvement Program (GRIP) loan​​

• City of Iowa City Energy Efficiency Program loan

  • ​For replacement or upgrade of heating and furnace systems, window replacement, insulating or weatherproofing projects.

• City of Iowa City Housing Rehabilitation​

• USDA - Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants for Rural Areas​

• City of Iowa City Invest Health Program- Repair/replacement of items that contribute to poor indoor air quality. 

  • ​​Iowa City households who have a member with a diagnosed lung disorder such as asthma or COPD are eligible for the program. 

​

My home is not ready for the weather, what do I do?

• City of Iowa City Energy Efficiency Program loan

  • ​For replacement or upgrade of heating and furnace systems, window replacement, insulating or weatherproofing projects.

• Hawkeye Area Community Action Program - weatherization and utility costs

• Green Iowa AmeriCorps - Home Energy Performance Audit and Weatherization

​

Where can I learn about homeownership?

• Habitat for Humanity - Financial Literacy and Homeowner Education

  • Contact Gabe Martin​ at 319-519-6124 or gabe@iowavalleyhabitat.org​

• Horizons Homebuyer Education and Financial Counseling

  • Includes foreclosure prevention​ and credit counseling

• Proteus - ​Housing education for migrant workers

• Ruhl & Ruhl - First time home buyer classes for immigrant communities 

  • Arabic, French, Spanish​

  •  319-351-7845

​​

I want to own my own home

• Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

• USDA - Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans for Rural Areas

• Iowa Finance Authority - Affordable Mortgage Programs 

• Residential Mortgage Network - VA Home Loans, First Time Home Buyers, Conventional Loans, FHA Loans

I can't afford a down payment on a home, what do I do?

• ​​Iowa Finance Authority Down Payment Assistance

• Military Homeownership Assistance Program

​

Where can I find an affordable place to rent?

• Affordable family housing (Units subsidized with Federal, State or Local government funding)

  • Johnson County Housing Tax Credit Properties

  • Peninsula Apartments (contact Pat MacKay at patricia-mackay@iowa-city.org or 319-887-6069)

  • North Liberty Park Apartments

• Public Housing list - includes subsidized affordable and low-income apartment properties

• Iowa Housing Search - Rental Locator 

• City of Iowa City Public Housing Program

• The Housing Fellowship - permanent affordable rental housing

• USDA - Rural Multi-Family Housing Rentals

• River City Housing Collective - a nonprofit cooperative dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing to the Iowa City area.

​

I cannot afford any rental units, what do I do?

• City of Iowa City Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV)​

  • Families with an HCV voucher choose and lease safe, decent and affordable privately owned rental housing - Apply​ here

• Iowa Finance Authority - Home and Community Based Services Rent Subsidy Program

• Iowa Finance Authority - Aftercare Rent Subsidy Program

  • ​For youth aging out of foster care

​

I need furniture for my home, but I can't afford it right now

• Houses into Homes - Provides beds and furniture at the recommendation of social services agencies

• Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore - anything from paint and nails to cabinets, appliances, and furniture all at affordable prices

​

I am returning from incarceration and I am having trouble finding a place to live

• InsideOut Reentry - Assistance with housing searches and applications, accessing credit reports, referrals to housing assistance programs

​

I can't afford to pay my bills right now

• CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank - Rent and Utility assistance​

• Johnson County General Assistance - Short term monetary help​

• Johnson County Veterans Affairs - financial assistance

• Hawkeye Area Community Action Program - Energy Assistance Programs

​

I live in a manufactured home and it is in need of repairs, who can help me?

• City of Iowa City Housing Rehabilitation​

• Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Helping Hands​​ Home Repair Program

  • ​Will consider exterior work such as porch replacement and ramp construction​

  • Will consider limited interior work such as furnace repair/replacement

  • Reach out for further information

• Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County - Home Rehab Loan Program

​

I live in a manufactured home community and I want to advocate for myself and my neighbors

• ManufacturedHousing Action - Advocacy group

• Resident Owned Communities - ROC USA® helps resident groups in for-sale communities come together and purchase their neighborhoods.

​

Where can I go if I need emergency shelter?

• Domestic Violence Intervention Program

  • 24-hour hotline 1-800-373-1043​

• Hawkeye Area Community Action Program - Homelessness, veteran support

• Iowa City Catholic Worker - short-term transitional housing

• Shelter house - emergency shelter

• Four Oaks Iowa City - shelter program for youth in crisis 

• UIHC HIV/Aids clinic

  • HIV-specific financial programs such as Ryan White funds, including Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)

I am an older adult and I want to continue living in my home

• Johnson County Visiting Nurse Association - 319-337-9686

  • In-home consultation regarding fall risks and recommendations for increasing safety at home. There is no charge to Johnson county residents.

• Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Helping Hands​​ Home Repair Program

  • ​Change light bulbs, replace furnace filters, and change smoke detector batteries

  • Changes that allow for continued independence such as accessibility ramps, grab bars, and bathroom modifications 

• Aging Services - ​Minor home repairs, lawn mowing, snow removal, seasonal yard care, home adaptations (wheelchair ramps, grab bars, handrails, etc.)

• Systems Unlimited - Supported living

• City of Iowa City Housing Rehabilitation​

• USDA - Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants for Rural Areas​

• Access 2 Independence - Independent Living Skills Training

​

​I am looking for accessible housing that is affordable

• Keyway Property Management

• Systems Unlimited - Community living services

• Citizen Building

• Autumn Park Apartments

• Solon Community Housing (accepts Housing Choice Vouchers) 

  • 319-465-6171 1763 Racine Ave NE Solon IA 52333

• East Side Village

  • 319-629-4689 401 E Linn, Lone Tree, IA 52755

• Peninsula Apartments

  • (contact Pat MacKay at patricia-mackay@iowa-city.org or 319-887-6069)​​

• ​Chatham Oaks​ - Residential Care Facility

​

I am looking for specified affordable senior living

• Johnson County Livable Community - Information for Successful Aging

• Ecumenical Towers

• Keyway Property Management

• Citizen Building

• Regency Heights Apartments

• Solon Community Housing (accepts Housing Choice Vouchers) 

  • 319-465-6171 1763 Racine Ave NE Solon IA 52333

• East Side Village

  • 319-629-4689 401 E Linn, Lone Tree, IA 52755

• Peninsula Apartments

  • (contact Pat MacKay at patricia-mackay@iowa-city.org or 319-887-6069)​​

​

I need help with language translation/interpretation

• The Iowa International Center (IIC) offers a free 24/7 Housing Interpretation Hotline

  • Housing Hotline Overview​

  • Phone Interpretation Language Availability