DES MOINES, Iowa — Polk County renters who have fallen behind on rental and utility payments may be eligible for financial assistance with the help of Polk County, IMPACT Community Action Partnership and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Qualified residents of Des Moines and Polk County, including households that have missed rent payments and can demonstrate a COVID-related impact to their income meet other requirements, may apply now through November 27, 2022 for financial assistance.
“While we are disappointed that the program is ending, we are still hopeful that the state of Iowa will reallocate their Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds rather than having it go out of state,” said Anne Bacon, IMPACT Community Action Partnership chief executive officer.
To qualify, individuals and families must be:
Residents of Polk County
Renters – homeowners are not eligible
Currently late on rent
On August 26, 2021, the CDC Eviction Moratorium ended, which leaves many renters who were behind on payments at risk for eviction.
“We highly recommend any Polk County renters who are behind on home rental payments to apply,” said Bacon. Assistance is available for payments owed back to March 13, 2020. “This could make the difference between being evicted and facing homelessness and remaining in your rental property.”
Applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program are available online at Impactcap.org or by calling 515-461-9800. The IMPACT Community Action Partnership website also has information on the necessary documents needed to apply, specific directions on how to apply online, and a list of frequently asked questions.
Applications are expected to be open until Nov. 27, 2022, but Bacon recommends applying as soon as possible.
“We advise anyone behind on rent to apply as soon as possible. Our staff often works with landlords and Iowa Legal Aid to help families avoid eviction while their application is being processed.”
For more information about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and details on eligibility, visit Impactcap.org.
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IMPACT Community Action Partnership’s mission is reducing the barriers and burdens that families in poverty experience by increasing access to essential needs. IMPACT serves over 46,000 individuals annually in five Central Iowa counties: Boone, Jasper, Marion, Polk and Warren. IMPACT collaborates with more than 400 community partners to deliver the following essential services: housing assistance, energy assistance, food and hygiene products assistance, and local community-based assistance including disaster assistance. IMPACT is one of 16 community action agencies in Iowa.
For Release: October 20, 2022
For IMPACT News: www.impactcap.org/news
Media Outlets: If you are a news reporter and would like to be added to our media list, please contact Kim Coulter, community engagement coordinator, 515-518-4770, ext. 379, kcoulter@impactcap.org.