Iowa Homeowner Assistance Fund

Family outdoors in fall

Topics:

Homeownership

Iowa Homeowner Assistance Fund Help Line

Have questions about the Homeowner Assistance Fund program or your application? Contact the Iowa Homeowner Assistance Fund Support Team at 888.668.0927 to leave a message. Your call will be returned the same business day or within 24 hours, Monday – Friday.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicant must own the property*
  • Applicant must be behind at least 30 days behind on payments for mortgage, contract sale, manufactured home or property taxes.
  • Applicant household income does not exceed the greater of 150% of the area median income or 100% of the U.S. median income
  • Property is in Iowa and is the applicant’s primary residence
  • Applicant experienced and/or can demonstrate a COVID-related financial hardship
  • Applicant’s income must reflect the ability to resume future mortgage payments after IHAF assistance is received.
  • Applicant’s household housing debt to income ratio must be 50% or lower, calculated as your monthly housing payments divided by your gross monthly income. As a general rule, your gross monthly income must equal at least double your monthly mortgage payment. If your household debt to income ratio is greater than 50%, your IHAF application will be denied or referred to Iowa Mortgage Help for counseling services.

* Applicants who do not own property but are buying under a legally recorded contract or manufactured lot rent payments are eligible to apply.

Eligibility

Eligible Assistance

Eligible homeowners may receive one time assistance only of up to $25,000. Subsequent applications will not be accepted, whether your original application submission is approved or denied. For that reason, it is important to carefully consider your precheck eligibility before deciding to apply for IHAF.

Eligible Past Due Expenses: 

  • Mortgage Payments
  • Property Taxes
  • Homeowner’s Insurance
  • Homeowner Association Fees
  • Manufactured Home/Lot Rent Payments
  • Land Contract Payments*

*Applicants who do not own property but are buying under a legally recorded contract.

Eligible Property Types

  • Single-family properties
  • Condominium units
  • 2- to 4-unit properties where the homeowner is living in one of the units as their primary residence
  • Manufactured homes permanently affixed to real property and taxed as real estate
  • Mobile homes not permanently affixed to real property

Application Process

  1. Review required documents and FAQs. Have digital copies of proof of identification and income eligibility documentation.
  2. Submit an application.
  3. Notify your servicer. Servicers are required to be onboarded into the program prior to homeowners receiving assistance.

Application Resources & FAQs

IHAF Payment FAQs

Marketing Resources

A program flyer that may be emailed or printed and shared with homeowners in need of assistance is available below in English, Spanish and French.

Employment Resources

The State of Iowa offers a variety of resources to assist Iowans with re-entering the workforce. These services include resume writing assistance, training programs and real-time job listings.

Please review the job listings and resources below and contact an IowaWORKS Center in your area if you would like assistance with your job search.

Funds for this program come from the U.S. Department of Treasury, established under section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.