Iowa City HOME-ARP Funding Available

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARP”) appropriated $5 billion to communities across the U.S. to provide housing, services, and shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations.  These funds were allocated by formula to jurisdictions that qualified for funding through the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME Program) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 

Eligible activities that may be funded with HOME-ARP include:

  • Development and support of affordable housing
  • Tenant-based rental assistance
  • Provision of supportive services (such as housing counseling, homelessness prevention, childcare, job training, legal services, case management, moving costs, rental applications, and rent assistance)
  • Acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units.

Funds must primarily benefit individuals and households in the following Qualifying Populations:

  • Experiencing homelessness
  • At risk of homelessness
  • Fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking
  • Other populations with high risk of housing instability (see Applicant Guide for details)

Iowa City expects to have $1,521,981 in HOME-ARP funds available for allocation in a competitive funding round, including up to $89,000 for non-profit operating & capacity building funds for applicants who are carrying out the eligible activities listed above.  Applications will be available starting on May 27, 2022 and will be due at noon on June 14th, 2022.

Online Application - coming soon

Application Guide - coming soon

City staff will hold office hours for applicant questions on Tuesday, May 31 and Tuesday, June 7th from 9am-noon via Zoom.  

Link to register for May 31st

Link to register for June 7th.

For questions about the HOME-ARP application process, please contact Cassy Gripp at cgripp@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5237.

Public Comment Period and Public Meeting Notice for Proposed FY23 Annual Action Plan and a Substantial Amendment to Iowa City's Consolidated Plan, City Steps 2025

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 upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023). The plan is a sub-part of Iowa City's Consolidated Plan titled, City Steps 2025. 

FY23 Annual Action Plan Draft

The City of Iowa City is also soliciting public comments on a substantial amendment to City Steps 2025. City Steps 2025 outlines proposed housing and community development needs, priorities, and goals; locations; budgets; and scope of activities to be funded by the City’s CDBG and HOME programs from City Fiscal Years 2021 through 2025. The proposed amendment includes the addition of three organizations as Legacy Agencies: Center for Worker Justice, Dream City, and Houses into Homes.

City Steps 2025 Substantial Amendment Draft

  • The FY23 Annual Action Plan Draft and Substantial Amendment Draft will both be available for public comment beginning May 20, 2022 through June 21, 2022 in accordance with the City's Citizen Participation Plan.
  • Copies are also available from the Neighborhood and Development Services Department located at 410 E Washington Street in Iowa City and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 5 P.M. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the plan will be made available to the public for review electronically or via U.S. Mail.  Please submit your request by U.S. Mail to the Neighborhood Services Department, City of Iowa City, 410 East Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, or by email to bthul@iowa-city.org.
  • Comments may be submitted in writing to the Neighborhood and Development Services Department at the address above or by email to bthul@iowa-city.org.
  • The City Council will hold a public meeting, accept comments, and consider approval of Iowa City’s FY23 Annual Action Plan and the substantial amendment to City Steps 2025 on June 21, 2022. The meeting will be held at Emma Harvat Hall located at 410 E Washington Street at 6:00 p.m. For meeting information, visit www.icgov.org/councildocs. If you require special accommodations or language translation please contact Brianna Thul at 319-356-5240 or Brianna-Thul@Iowa-City.org at least five (5) days prior to the meeting.
  • Questions can be directed to Brianna Thul at brianna-thul@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5240.

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.

Funds Available

Federal funding has not yet been awarded and numbers are subject to change. However, the City of Iowa City expects to have approximately $1,500,000 in FY23 federal funds available (including entitlements and program income) from HUD (excluding CDBG-CV and HOME-ARP). The City has approximately $950,000 available for allocation to recipients after Council set-asides have been removed for economic development, housing rehabilitation, CHDO reserve, CHDO operating, administration, neighborhood improvements, and Aid to Agencies. Of this amount, approximately $450,000 must be used for HOME eligible activities, which focus on affordable housing: rehabilitation or new construction of rental housing, tenant-based rent assistance, and homeownership opportunities. The remaining $500,000 may be used for housing or public facilities projects.

The application for CHDO set aside and operating funds will open at a later date to align with the annual CHDO certification period which typically occurs in February. 

Apply

This application window closed January 25, 2022 at 12pm. 

Please note, the financial verification application has been eliminated for FY23. All information will be submitted through one application. This includes the pro forma for rental housing activities and other required attachments.

Timeline

A tentative timeline is available below. 

Need Assistance?

Applicants may request additional assistance by contacting Brianna Thul at 319-356-5240 or brianna-thul@iowa-city.org.

 

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.

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

Emerging 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 (p.150), the City's Consolidated Plan (available below).

This application window closed January 25, 2022 at 12pm. 

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 the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on service providers, there will be no application process for FY23 Legacy funds. Legacy Agency funding requests will carry over from FY21 and allocation amounts will be prorated based on the program budget.

Applications for Legacy Agency funding are accepted on a two year cycle through the United Way Community Impact Funding Process. The next application cycle is expected to begin in August of 2022 for funding that will be available after July 1, 2023 (fiscal year 2024). 

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:

        Per Unit Subsidy

        Income and Rent Limits

        Purchase Price Limits 

        Utility Allowances

        Part 5 Form

        CDBG Income Survey

        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