Help available for Jones County flood victims

Iowans who have been displaced from their homes because of recent floods, and those impacted by the 2008 floods, may receive temporary help acquiring affordable housing through the Iowa Rental Help program.

Qualified homeowners who are moving into rental units and homeless individuals and families who seek rental housing can access the funds for affordable housing search and placement, moving expenses, rental deposit, rent and utility payments and more. A complete list of eligible expenses and income limits and other qualifications are available at www.IowaRentalHelp.com.

When individuals contact Iowa Rental Help, they will be connected with a case manager in their area to determine whether they qualify and the assistance that will best benefit them. Iowa Rental Help's goal is for recipients to gain stability as well as adequate housing after receiving assistance from the program.

As part of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, almost $1.5 billion was allocated to cities and states for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. The State of Iowa received $11 million for the program, which is also called Iowa Rental Help.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development administers the program nationally; the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) administers the program in Iowa.

For more information on the program, Iowans can call 877-386-9104, visit www.IowaRentalHelp.com, or text RENT to 30644.

Service providers and emergency management agencies may request program flyers from the Iowa Finance Authority by calling 800-432-7230.

Other sources of help:

• The Cedar Rapids Salvation Army is responding to recent flooding in surrounding communities traveling to Monticello and Olin today with clean-up kits, water and snack items. A disaster services team went to the Delhi area yesterday and distributed 80 clean-up kits, over 800 bottles of water and hundreds of snack items. Salvation Army staff are assessing needs with residents and local emergency personnel in these hard-hit communities to determine aid and response.
• How the public can help at this time: Cash donations allow The Salvation Army the most flexibility in meeting recovery needs. To donate by credit card, visit tsacedarrapids.org, call 319-364-9131 or stop by The Salvation Army offices at 1000 C Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids. Checks can also be mailed to this address or delivered in person. Please earmark your gift for flood relief.
• Jones County Emergency Management Coordinator Brenda Leonard says they're directing flood victims to the Red Cross and shelters. The Red Cross will be driving around in a van all day Tuesday looking for people who need assistance. Volunteers will hand out meals, bottled water, and flood assistance booklets.