Housing: Rental Assistance

Weatherization Resource: MICA https://micaonline.org/services/housing/weatherization/

Services: Food, Health, Housing, & Support

• Homeless Street Outreach contact: Jill Rogers Email: jrogers@centraliowashelter.org  Tel: 515-805-7883
• Shelter, meals, and support services are provided at no cost to adults experiencing homelessness, while also facilitating their move towards self-sufficiency.  The Shelter has a capacity of 150 people. 
• Coordinated Entry
• Rolling Hills Coalition: 15 counties in Southeast Iowa, including Jasper County. 
• Your Life Iowa: to connect and share information with agencies across the state that have signed a confidentiality agreement.  
• Empowerment Command Centers are located in Grinnell and Ottumwa. 

Four Categories of the Homeless Definition

Within the homeless definition, there are four categories of homelessness:

1. Literally Homeless
2. Imminent Risk of Homelessness
3. Homeless Under Other Federal Statutes
4. Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence

After hours, contact Your Life Iowa. 

Keywords: Rent, deposit assistance, homelessness, homeless, housing help, home, eviction, rental, rental assistance, rent assistance

IMPACT Community Action Partnership reduces the barriers and burdens that families in poverty experience by increasing access to essential needs. Assistance may be available for food and personal hygiene, utilities (heat, water, and cooling), housing (rent, deposit, and mortgage), and emergency needs. All services are available in the office, over the phone, and by a scheduled home visit. Several programs can also be accessed via online application, email, or postal mail. See our website or contact our team by phone or email to learn more. May offer assistance with emergency applications, such as those related to flood or weather damage events. 

Housing: 

• Utilities: LIHEAP (Low Income energy assistance program) help. Heat, water, and cooling. 
• Housing: Rent, deposit, and mortgage. 
• HOME ARP funds - allow eligible individuals with housing start-up costs (application fees, deposit, rent, and utility arrears).  This program is for those who have been recently released from incarceration in the last year.
• HOME CHAMP program -  a housing assistance initiative in Iowa, a collaboration between IMPACT Community Action Partnership and Wellpoint. It provides case management and direct financial assistance for housing costs to eligible Wellpoint members in Iowa. 
• Air Conditioner/Fan Program: limited supplies

Food Cards: IMPACT Resource Centers located in counties where we do not have a food pantry (Jasper, Marion, and Warren) offer limited access to food cards for local grocery stores. Please call 515-518-4770 to check on the availability of the cards.

RAYS Scholarship: for eligible low-income students to participate in sports, band, dance, etc.

• Provides ongoing rental assistance for the public and section housing to individuals and families that qualify.
• Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority aims to promote affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary housing by assisting qualified families in a non-discriminatory manner, encouraging self-sufficiency and individual responsibility, while maintaining the public trust.
• Numerous programs including Section 8, Famly Self Sufficiency, Owned Housing Program, Housing Choice Voucher, 
• Keywords: housing, rental, landlords, section 8, utility allowance

Jasper County General Assistance

General Assistance is a county-funded program that can help eligible low-income residents of Jasper County with one-time emergency assistance for partial rent payment (eviction notice required), utility bill (disconnect notice required), one month of certain medications, and cremation assistance for indigent residents.

• Emergency Assistance Housing Related: by appointment only.
  • limited rent and utilities for low-income residents of Jasper County who have received utility disconnects or rental evictions, as funds are available.
    • Must provide proof and no more than once per year. 
    • Must provide a copy of the rental agreement.
• Salvation Army Thrift Store: clothes, household items, and accepts donations. Volunteers neeed.
• Emergency Food Pantry is by appointment only. Accepts food and hygiene donations. 
  • Jasper County residents can use the emergency food pantry once every 30 days for canned goods, packaged foods, and other staples. Those wishing to use the pantry are required to complete a form provided by The Salvation Army as well as give identification, employment verification or paycheck stubs, a piece of current mail to validate residency, and Social Security cards for all members of the household. The food pantry may be closed for restocking two days a month.
  • Bread Line and Produce Giveaway: In Newton, Fridays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Outside of Newton, check with your local food pantry.
    • Any Jasper County residents in need on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no income requirements.

Keywords: food, clothes, pantry, hungry, rent, homeless, household items, utility, eviction, bread