CDBG/HOME Funding 

About

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs help develop viable urban communities through projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, including public facility, affordable housing, and other eligible activities listed in the Applicant Guide.

FY22 Mid-Year Funding 

The Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) will meet October 21, 2021 to discuss applications, rankings, and funding amounts. HCDC will consider a funding recommendation to City Council. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend. City Council will provide final funding allocations following a public comment period in accordance with the City's Citizen Participation Plan. View meeting details and the agenda at the link below:

Housing and Community Development Commission Website

FY22 Timeline (Dates Subject to Change)

  • FY22 Mid-Year Funding - This application window closed August 31, 2021 at 12pm. Submissions are available for review at this link. 
  • FY22 Initial Funding - The application window closed January 29, 2021 at 12pm. Submissions are available for review at this link. 

Applications

FY22 Mid-Year Application Materials:

Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Funds

About

The HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) requires the City of Iowa City to set aside funds for specific activities to be undertaken by a special type of nonprofit called a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). A CHDO is a private nonprofit, community-based organization that has staff with the capacity to develop affordable housing for the community it serves. In order to qualify for designation as a CHDO, the organization must meet certain requirements pertaining to their legal status, organizational structure, and capacity and experience.

With Participating Jurisdiction (PJ) approval, CHDOs may use HOME funds for all eligible HOME activities. However, in order to count towards the 15 percent set-aside, a CHDO must act as the owner, developer, or sponsor of a project that is an eligible set-aside activity. These eligible set-aside activities include: the acquisition and/or rehabilitation of rental housing; new construction of rental housing; acquisition and/or rehabilitation of homebuyer properties; new construction of homebuyer properties; and direct financial assistance to purchasers of HOME-assisted housing that has been developed with HOME funds by the CHDO.

    Applications

    This application closed at 12pm on February 26, 2021. Submissions are available for review at this link.

    Certification

    Applicants must be a certified CHDO to receive funds. CHDO certification applications are due annually February 14.

    Aid to Agencies

    Emerging Aid to Agencies Funding

    Aid to Agencies (A2A) provides flexible operational funding for nonprofits providing public services. Up to five percent of Aid to Agencies funding may be made available for “emerging” agencies, i.e. agencies that are not designated as Legacy Agencies in City Steps 2025, the City's Consolidated Plan (available below). 

    The application window closed January 29, 2021 at 12pm. Submissions are available for review at the link below:

    Legacy Aid to Agencies Funding

    Aid to Agencies provides flexible funding for agencies providing public services to low-income residents of Iowa City.  Eligible organizations are those that are identified as a Legacy Agency in City Steps 2025 Consolidated Plan (p150). Due to COVID-19's impact on service providers, there will be no application process for FY22 Legacy funds. Legacy Agency funding requests will carry over from FY21 and allocation amounts will be prorated based on the program budget.

    COVID-19 Housing Assistance Programs

    There are currently local resources available to assist households who have lost wages due to COVID-19.

    Emergency Housing Assistance flyer

    If you need assistance and your household is below 80% of the area median income (eligibility chart), the City encourages you to Contact Shelter House at 319-351-0326.  Shelter House administers several different housing relief programs, including housing eviction and foreclosure prevention with funds through the City's CDBG-CV program.  The program can assist with up to 6 months of rent, mortgage, or utility assistance.  If you have received State assistance, you can apply for this program after their assistance ends and there is no duplication of benefits. 

          References for CDBG/HOME:

          Affordable Housing Location Model

              Consolidated Plan (City Steps)

              This five-year plan guides the allocation of funding for housing, jobs and services for low-to-moderate income persons.

              Annual Action Plans

              The Annual Action Plan describes the federally funded activities of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Programs (HOME), among others, to be undertaken by the City during the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). The plan is a sub-part of Iowa City's Consolidated Plan titled, City Steps.

              Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER)

              A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development required report that describes the federally funded activities and accomplishments.

              FY2021 CAPER - HCDC approved 9/16/2021

              FY2020 CAPER  - HCDC approved 11/19/2020

              FY2019 CAPER - HCDC approved 9/19/2019

              FY2018 CAPER - HCDC approved 9/20/2018

              FY2017 CAPER - HCDC approved 9/21/2017

              FY2016 CAPER - HCDC approved 9/15/2016

              Housing Studies

              Other Planning Documents

              Environmental Reviews

              None at this time. 

              City Government