Homes may be purchased through an assumable loan and must be owner-occupied. Assistance is also available for exterior repair and painting, making homes accessible for handicapped, and emergency repairs. Applications are taken from November 1 through February 28. Crisis resolution services are available for electrical and gas utilities at risk of disconnection. These repairs and modifications include, but are not limited to, repairing banisters, railings, steps, ceilings, minor plumbing problems and installing in-house rails and ramps.
Limited funds are available for help with such problems in the rest of the county.
Rental Assistance , authorized under the HUD Section 8 Housing and Assistance Payments Program, is available for legally defined families, or single handicapped or disabled people, and for people 62 years of age or older. This program subsidizes rent payments for private units that meet Housing Code criteria an Federal guidelines for the total amount of rent and utility payments. Some apartments are accessible to handicapped and elderly persons. Through Project HOPE , homeless persons, or those about to become homeless, those who live in substandard housing and those suffering from mental illness who may be homeless can obtain help finding housing. Iowa law provides that buildings with six or more housing units must be accessible for people with handicaps.