DES MOINES – The Iowa Finance Authority announced Aug 4. that more Iowans will be eligible to receive assistance with their rent and mortgage payments through the COVID-19 Iowa Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention program. The program’s eligibility criteria has been expanded to allow Iowans who had been receiving $600 a week in federal unemployment stimulus benefits to apply for assistance through the program.
“We acted quickly to launch this program as a vital resource to assist Iowans in staying in their home after experiencing a COVID-19 related loss of income,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham. The Iowa Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention program offers rent or mortgage assistance for up to four months, with a total household maximum of $3,200 for rental assistance and $3,000 for mortgage assistance.
The program is available to eligible renters and homeowners who have experienced a documented COVID-19-related loss of income on or after March 17 and have a household income that does not exceed 80% of the median family income limits for their county at the time of application.
The program issues payments directly to landlords and mortgage service providers on behalf of tenants and homeowners. The application period will remain open through the end of the year or until all allocated funds have been exhausted.
Iowans in need of assistance, as well as those who have applied previously may apply at iowahousingrecovery.com.
June and/or July $600 benefit recipients are stated as ineligible to receive rent or mortgage assistance in arrears, but may receive assistance beginning with the August payment.