Qualified homeowners can receive up to $24,999 in assistance in the form of 10-year forgivable loan. Loans have 0% interest and no monthly payments. This program is funded through federal CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Contact staff for full program requirements.

Click to view the CDBG Homeowner Rehab flyer.

Applicant Eligibility

• Applicant must have less than $50,000 in net assets (excluding retirement and equity in rehabbed home)
• Applicant must be current on all existing mortgages
• Applicants that have received federal assistance through the City of Iowa City (CDBG or HOME) in the last seven years are not eligible
• Applicants must meet the following income requirements:

Effective June 1, 2025

Applicants meeting a priority category below are considered first for assistance:

• Applicants with annual income below 50% of area median income.
• Applicants that have one or more household members with a verifiable disability
• Applicants with a household member that is 62 years or older
• Applicants with a household member that is a veteran

Property Eligibility

• Property must be an owner-occupied, single-family residential unit located within the Iowa City municipal limits
• Property must pass environmental review
• There must be equity in the home to secure the City’s loan
• Must be current on property taxes
• Contact staff for eligibility information for manufactured housing units

How To Apply

• As part of the application process, you will need to create a login through Neighborly Software. For more information on creating a login please see the Neighborly Registration Guide.
• Applications are also available in the Neighborhood and Development Services Department on the second floor of City Hall, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Please note, for paper applications you will need to provide paper copies of all required income/asset verifications to complete your application. Please review this Income & Assets Verification Sheet and bring in any accompanying documentation when you fill out the application.
• Public computer access is available at the Iowa City Public Library: https://www.icpl.org/services/computers-technology

 Fill out the online application form 

Qualified homeowners can receive $10,000 to $25,000 in the form of a low interest, repayable loan. City staff provide guidance on contractor selection, remodeling ideas and more. Loans are secured through the City at 2.75% and are repayable over 20 years. Contact staff for full program requirements.

Examples of Eligible Improvements

• Renovations
• Finishing basements
• Installation of central air or furnace upgrade
• Kitchen and bathroom renovations
• Windows and doors
• Updating plumbing or electrical
• Accessibility improvements
• Painting and siding
• Historic Preservation

Applicant and Property Eligibility

• Property must be single-family, owner-occupied property located within Iowa City limits
• There must be enough equity in the home to secure a loan
• Applicants must meet the following income requirements:

Effective June 1, 2025

How To Apply

• Applications are also available in the Neighborhood and Development Services Department on the second floor of City Hall, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
• Public computer access is available at the Iowa City Public Library: https://www.icpl.org/services/computers-technology

Fill out the online application form

Construction and Rehabilitation Specifications

• Table of Contents
• General Conditions
• Site Work
• Concrete
• Masonry
• Metals
• Carpentry and Millwork
• Moisture Protection and Roofing
• Doors, Windows, Glass
• Finishes
• Specialties
• Plumbing
• Heating and Air Conditioning
• Electric
• Energy
• Siding
• Exhibit 1 - Handicapped Rules and Regulations
• Exhibit 2 - Secretary of the Interior's Standards
• Exhibit 3 - Handrail, Guardrail and Stairway Requirements
• Exhibit 4 - Guidelines for the Removal of Lead-based Paint

Community Development Staff

Walt McFadden, Program Assistant
wmcfadden@iowa-city.org
319-356-5129

David Powers, Housing Rehab Specialist
dpowers@iowa-city.org
319-356-5233

Nate Becraft, Housing Rehab Specialist 
nbecraft@iowa-city.org
319-356-5131

Brianna Thul, Senior Community Development Planner
bthul@iowa-city.org
319-356-5240

Iowa City Senior Center Resources

The Iowa City Senior Center provides computer and technology assistance for seniors. Those interested can contact Brad at bmowrey@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5211 for assistance with technology. All program related questions should be directed to Community Development staff. 

For housing rehabilitation assistance outside of Iowa City municipal limits, please contact either the community partners below: 

Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity
Phone: 319-337-8949
Website: https://www.iowavalleyhabitat.org/helping-hands.html

East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG)
Phone: 319-365-9941
Website: https://www.ecicog.org/housing