Capitol Notebook: Feds approve temporary housing assistance for Iowans recovering from disasters

Iowans in 14 counties unable to live in their homes due to flood and tornado damage are now eligible to apply for temporary housing assistance through the federal government.

Gov. Kim Reynolds said Iowa has received approval to use a Federal Emergency Management Agency program that traditionally has been used by southern states in hurricane recovery efforts.

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The program provides temporary housing in impacted communities while displaced residents work toward a more permanent housing solution. It provides temporary housing, which may include recreational vehicles and travel trailers, for up to six months at no cost for Iowans whose homes were severely damaged, destroyed or deemed not habitable in 14 counties currently under a federal disaster declaration.

The following counties are currently eligible: Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Clay, Emmet, Jasper, Lyon, Montgomery, Obrien, Plymouth, Polk, Sioux, and Story. Damage assessments are still ongoing and additional counties may become eligible, according to the governor’s office.

“In the course of eight weeks, Iowa was hit with three extreme weather systems, impacting more than 5,000 homes, of which, it’s estimated that more than 2,000 were destroyed,” Reynolds said in a statement. “There is no more urgent need than ensuring displaced Iowans have temporary housing in the communities they call home while they recover and rebuild.”

Applications are open now at DisasterRecovery.iowa.gov. Additionally, a call center will be open beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 to assist Iowans. Beginning Thursday, July 18, the call center will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., including Saturday and Sunday. TTY and translation services are available.

To apply for the Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program:

For more information, visit DisasterRecovery.iowa.gov.

Iowa offers $320,000 to schools aiding homeless students

State officials on Wednesday also announced more than $320,000 in emergency grant funds available to support Iowa school districts serving students experiencing homelessness as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the recent weather-related disasters.

Eligible districts can apply for up to $80,000 to provide wraparound services and support for students who are displaced or experiencing homelessness as a result of weather-related disaster in the state.

Districts located in a county included in a disaster emergency proclamation issued by Gov. Kim Reynolds between April 26 and June 28 can apply for funding. Additionally, at least 25 percent of the school community must be impacted by the weather-related disaster, and 10 percent or more students must be displaced or facing homelessness.

Funds can be used to provide short-term housing, including stays in a hotel or motel; transportation to school and basic needs like food, clothing and wellness items.

District can begin applying Thursday, July 17 at IowaGrants.gov Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on July 31.

Iowans can also visit the state’s disaster recovery website at https://www.iowa.gov/iowa-disaster-recovery for information on other state and federal disaster assistance, volunteering or donating to disaster-impacted communities in Iowa.

Iowans eligible for assistance after Monday derecho

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Residents in five Iowa counties impacted by Monday’s severe weather can now apply for state aid.

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Tuesday for Des Moines, Dubuque, Mitchell, Polk and Scott counties in response to a line of storms that swept through most of Iowa Monday.

Monday's storms were officially classified as a derecho, according to the Storm Prediction Center, spawning tornadoes in the Des Moines area and Quad Cities region. It's Iowa's second derecho in the last two months, with the other being a line of storms that traveled through the state on May 24.

Additionally, Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Scott and Clayton counties in response to severe storms and flooding that began on June 26.

The governor's proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of the severe weather and residents in affected areas to apply for state aid.

Residents with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level can receive grants of up to $7,000 to cover home or car repairs, temporary housing expenses and replacement of clothing or food. Potential applicants have 45 days to submit a claim.

The grant application and instructions are available at homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance.

Affected residents can also access the Disaster Case Advocacy Program that assists victims of natural disasters. For more information visit iowacommunityaction.org. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor's proclamation.