In January 2021, Iowa received $195 million for a rent and utility assistance program to keep Iowans who were impacted by COVID in their homes. The program was created to pay for past due rent, future rent, and past due utility bills including electric, water, natural gas, propane, trash, and broadband.
Six months later, an investigative report by the Des Moines Register found Governor Reynolds was holding financial assistance from Iowans who are trying to stay in their homes.
So far, Reynolds has only distributed 2% of the funds, or $4 million, and another $2 million has been spent on administrative costs. Over 7,400 Iowans have applied for assistance through the program but over 5,000 of those applications have yet to be approved by the Reynolds Administration.
On July 31, the federal moratorium on evictions and foreclosures will be lifted which means some Iowans behind on rent could lose their housing beginning on August 1.
Given the failure of Governor Reynolds to get assistance into the hands of Iowans, some lawmakers are calling on the Governor to issue an emergency proclamation and extend the moratorium on evictions in Iowa until August 31.
The extension will prevent Iowans who have applied for assistance from being evicted from their home because of the needless delays of the Reynolds Administration.
Applications are still being accepted for rent and utility assistance. Iowa residents (except Polk County) can apply for assistance here. Polk County residents can apply for assistance here.
