The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) will receive over $134 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This critical funding will help support long-term recovery efforts following the June 2024 severe storms and floods, with a focus on the hardest-hit counties. These floods have caused widespread damage to critical infrastructure and posed ongoing risks to the safety and well-being of our residents.
Action Plan
List items for 2024 Disaster Recovery Action Plan
In response, IEDA has developed an action plan to outline how the funds will be used to build new affordable housing for low-and moderate-income families, improve local infrastructure like stormwater drainage and sewage systems, help communities cover their share of FEMA recovery costs, and invest in planning and projects that reduce the risk of future disasters.
At this time, only counties designated as Most Impacted and Distressed by HUD qualify for these programs. As recovery progresses, programs may be expanded to other areas, but for now only units of local government located in the following counties are eligible to apply:
Buena Vista (County)
Cherokee (County)
Clay (County)
Lyon (County)
Pottawattamie (County)
Sioux (County)
Woodbury (County)
List items for 2024 CDBG-DR Flood Recovery Programs
This grant program is designed to help local jurisdictions move forward with critical infrastructure and recovery efforts following a disaster. FEMA requires state and local governments to contribute a “local share” or “match” toward eligible projects, but these costs can be difficult for communities already stretched thin by emergency response, recovery needs, and reduced revenues. The Non‑Federal Match Program provides CBG-DR funding support as match to ease that burden for FEMA’s HMGP and FEMA-Project Assistance Programs. In addition to assisting with required match funding, CDBG‑DR resources may also be used to enhance HMGP Buyout projects when communities can demonstrate remaining unmet recovery needs, lack of alternative funding options, and a clear connection to long‑term resilience and restoration goals.
The General Infrastructure Program is intended to repair, replace, and improve critical public infrastructure damaged by the June 2024 Midwest Flooding while also reducing future disaster risk. Many communities continue to face challenges restoring essential systems such as water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation, and other public facilities needed to support recovery and long‑term growth. Through this program, CDBG‑DR funds assist local governments in addressing unmet infrastructure needs, supporting FEMA‑related projects where appropriate, and investing in mitigation measures that improve system capacity and resilience. Eligible projects must demonstrate a clear connection to disaster recovery or mitigation and help ensure that communities can safely sustain housing, economic activity, and public services over time.
The Single Family New Construction Program is designed to expand the supply of resilient, affordable, owner‑occupied housing in communities impacted by the June 2024 Midwest Flooding. Many households continue to face barriers to safe and affordable homeownership due to disaster‑related damage, limited housing availability, and rising construction costs. Through this program, CDBG‑DR funds support the construction of new single‑family homes on vacant or redevelopment sites, paired with targeted homebuyer assistance to help income‑qualified households purchase and remain in their homes. Homes are built to enhanced resiliency and energy‑efficiency standards and are prioritized for disaster‑impacted households, helping communities rebuild stronger housing stock while promoting long‑term stability and recovery.
The Multi‑Family Rental New Construction Program supports the development of new, resilient rental housing to address the ongoing shortage of affordable units in disaster‑impacted areas. Flooding and severe storms damaged existing rental stock and displaced households, placing additional pressure on already limited housing markets. This program uses CDBG‑DR funds to assist local governments in partnering with developers to construct new single‑family and multi‑family rental units that remain affordable over a long‑term affordability period. At least 51 percent of units must serve low‑ and moderate‑income households, with priority given to disaster‑impacted tenants. By investing in durable, energy‑efficient rental housing, the program helps stabilize communities, support workforce housing needs, and strengthen resilience to future disasters.
