Story County Affordable Housing Initiatives (Rental Assistance Program)

Geographic Scope: Story County, Iowa

Focus Areas: Housing affordability and rental assistance

Target Population: Households below 80% area median income (AMI), with focused interest on households below 30% AMI

Funding Restrictions

• Maximum per household reimbursement: $2,000.00

Eligible Uses

Grant funds may be used for:

• Rent (current rent to keep tenant(s) in housing or to move into housing). Tenant(s) must have a plan for ongoing rent
• Utilities (to avoid shut off or arrears to get tenant(s) into rental or turned back on)
• Deposits for rent and/or utilities (Landlords would pay rent deposit back to grantee, not the tenant(s))
• Application fees (maximum of two applications per year per household, up to $50 per application)

Not Eligible

Grant funds may NOT be used for:

• Ongoing rent (beyond assistance)
• Student housing

Status

The application period follows an annual NOFA cycle. Notifications of approval or denial are issued on or after January 20. The SCHT Board may consider requests for funding at other times during the year outside of the annual cycle.

Application Process

• Submit application through the annual Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process
• Applications are accepted during designated periods (currently closed as of April 2026)
• Applicants receive notification of approval or denial on or after January 20
• For inquiries about available funding or project discussion outside the annual cycle, contact the SCHT administrator

Required Materials

• Specific application requirements are outlined in the NOFA and Application form
• Current AMI limits documentation is available (refer to "Current AMI Limits" on applications page)
• Documentation of household income and rental needs

Additional Information

• Technical services definition available on applications page
• The SCHT Board may consider funding requests at times other than the annual NOFA period