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Jumpstart Iowa/CDBG Homeowner Assistance Program

Recovery Hotline: (319) 356-5479

Update 04/27/09: Governor Culver signed legislation on 04/21/09 to help Iowa homeowners affected by last year's flood. Senate File 289 reduces the amount of time, from 10 years to 5 years, state-funded Jumpstart Iowa recipients must stay in their homes before their entire Jumpstart loan is forgiven. learn more

Update 10/23/08: Process is underway to notify Jumpstart applicants of results of their application for funding.

Supplemental CDBG Flood Recovery Funding Process Begins (posted 10/17/08) Applications available for homeowners to apply for Supplemental CDBG Flood Recovery Funding. If you have already applied for “Jumpstart” funding you do not need to submit another application.

Applications will be accepted until the Supplemental CDBG funds are depleted. Applications are available on this webpage (reference "Jumpstart/CDBG applications" below) and at City Hall, Planning Department, 401 E. Washington St, Iowa City.

Questions regarding the application process or other flood recovery issues can be directed to Doug Ongie, Community Development Planner (319) 356-5479 or at doug-ongie@iowa-city.org.

To be eligible for this funding, flood impacted residents must have registered for FEMA assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go to www.fema.gov to register. The FEMA registration deadline is October 31, 2008.

CDBG Flood recovery funds and levels of assistance are based on federal guidelines. The applicant must:
1. Be the owner of record and have occupied the home as their primary residence during the flood of 2008;
2. Must be at or under 100% of the median income for the City of Iowa City:  Single = $50,800; 2 person household = $58,000; 3 person household = $65,300; 4 person household = $72,600; 5 person household = $78,400; 6 person household = $84,200; 7 person household = $90,000; 8 person household = $95,800.
 

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Jumpstart/CDBG Housing Application

Jumpstart/CDBG Application Checklist

Jumpstart FAQs - Homeowners

Additional Program Information (Source: Iowa Finance Authority)

Downpayment Assistance

Interim Mortgage Assistance

Energy Efficiency Assistance

Repair or Rehabilitation Assistance

Applications for CDBG funds will be accepted until the funds are depleted. One form is used for both types of funding (Jumpstart & CDBG).  If you have already applied for "Jumpstart" funding you do not need to submit another application.

Resources

The City Hall Flood Recovery Center is now closed. Questions regarding the application process or other flood recovery issues can be directed to the Flood Recovery Hotline at 319-356-5479. Flood Recovery in-person assistance is available in the Planning Department, 2nd Floor - North Court, City Hall, 410 E. Washington St.

Jumpstart Program - What can it fund?

The Jumpstart Iowa Homeowner Assistance Program will help homeowners either make a downpayment on a new house, repair their current home, or maintain their mortgages while waiting for a potential buyout from FEMA. Any Iowa City resident whose home was damaged by the flood, regardless of whether it was inside or outside of the 100-year floodplain, is eligible to apply for Jumpstart funds.

Iowa City has been allocated $686,197 in Jumpstart Iowa Housing Assistance funds and $1.2 million in HUD Supplemental CDBG funds to distribute to flood-impacted homeowners. The Jumpstart funds do not have any income restrictions for those requesting assistance; however, the CDBG funds must be allocated to households with incomes less than the median income for Iowa City. (e.g. household of four earning less than $72,600 annually).

Funding will not be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Rather, funding awards and levels of assistance will be determined by priorities and project eligibility requirements as established by the City Council at its meeting on October 6, 2008. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions after October 17, 2008. Flood recovery funds are available for the following specific needs:

1. Downpayment assistance - available to all flood-impacted homeowners whose damage exceeds 50% of their home's value. All flood-impacted homeowners are eligible to apply, including those both "on" and "off" the buyout list. 

Individuals whose homes were destroyed or damaged beyond reasonable repair may be offered downpayment assistance of up to $50,000 plus up to $10,000 for the full cost of installation of energy-efficient furnaces and boilers, appliances, air conditioners, hot water heaters, windows, and insulation. Downpayment assistance will be reduced by the amount of any disaster compensation in excess of any amount necessary to pay off a mortgage on the disaster-affected home. The loan will be forgiven if the homeowner stays in the home for ten years.

2. Housing rehabilitation, can include Energy Efficiency Assistance (for homes not on the buyout list)

Individuals whose homes are not slated for buyouts may receive assistance to make repairs of up to $50,000 plus up to $10,000 for purchasing energy efficiency equipment. The estimated cost of repairs shall be reduced by the amount of any disaster compensation received. The loan will be forgiven if the homeowner stays in the home for ten years.

3. Interim mortgage assistance (available only to those whose homes are on the buyout list)

Individuals in an area submitted to the State for possible buyout of their damaged homes are eligible for assistance of up to $1,000 a month to maintain mortgages for a period not to exceed 12 months.

The final Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) buyout list will be determined by the City Council at its October 6, 2008 meeting. Check for updates on this web page, or call the Flood Recovery Hotline at 319-356-5479 for the final list.

Information regarding Jumpstart Iowa Small Business Assistance application procedures for Iowa City business owners is available at: www.icgov.org/recovery.

Flood Recovery Resources:

Flood Recovery Hotline: 319-356-5479 – answered normal business hours until further notice.
Website: www.icgov.org/recovery
In-person assistance available in the Planning Department, 2nd Floor - North Court, City Hall, 410 E. Washington St.

Flood Recovery Counseling/Finance Assistance Services:

Iowa City Crisis Center (emotional/financial assistance) 319-351-0140
Mideastern Iowa Comm. Mental Health Center: 1-800-697-3165
United Way (volunteer/other assistance): 319-337-8657
Iowa Mortgage Help Hotline: 1-877-622-4866
Horizons Consumer Credit Counseling: 319-358-5901
Iowa Bar Association Legal Hotline: 1-877-775-8882