Earlier this week, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced just under $20 million in funding geared toward creating homeownership opportunities for Iowans throughout the state, including more than $2 million for local initiatives. The Iowa HOME Grant Program, which is funded throughteh Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) through allocations to the state from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Relief Funds, was created to help meet housing needs for low- to moderate-income families throughout Iowa. Gov. Reynolds says, “We know that homeownership is the leading driver of wealth creation. The investments announced [Thursday] will not only assist many Iowan families in opening the door to homeownership, upward economic mobility, and the ability to live in the communities where they work.” The bulk of the awardees are Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the state, including $1.377 million to assist in the construction of six homes in Boone, Jefferson, Milford, Spirit Lake, and Decorah. Western Iowa’s Region XII Council of Governments was selected to receive $850,000 in funding for homes in Audubon, Carroll, Denison, Adel, Perry, Woodward, Sac City, Guthrie Center, Jefferson, De Soto, Dallas Center, and Redfield. While only $20 million in Iowa HOME Grants were available, 24 applicants requested over $30 million in funding.
