Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority (CIRHA)

Program: CIRHA Emergency Housing Voucher Program

Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority (CIRHA) has received funding for Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV).

Services:

Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV)

Eligibility:

Residents of CIRHA’s service area. A family must meet one of these four eligibility categories and be referred to CIRHA by the Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care (CoC) or another partnering agency that makes direct referrals to CIRHA.

Priority 1 – Homeless.
Priority 2 – Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking.
Priority 3 – Recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability.
Priority 4 – At risk of homelessness.

Intake Process:

If you are in need of emergency assistance through the Emergency Housing Voucher program, you should contact:

Boone and Story Counties
- More information to come.
Dallas and Madison Counties
- Crisis Intervention and Advocacy Services
Jasper and Marion Counties
- Central Iowa Shelter and Services
Victims Service Provider or Social Services agency in one of the above counties.

CIRHA can provide the names for Victims Services Providers or Social Service agencies by calling 515-986-1882.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Appointment Needed: No

Website: View Website

Program: CIRHA Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is available in all six counties in CIRHA’s service area. Included are the counties of Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, and Story, excluding the cities of Knoxville & Pella in Marion county.

Families are responsible for locating a unit that is eligible for the program. The family will pay rent to the landlord based on between 30 to 40 percent of the family’s gross monthly adjusted income. CIRHA will form a contract with the landlord to pay the difference directly to the landlord on behalf of the family.

Services:

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

Eligibility:

Income eligibility is based on family size as well as county of residence. Income table located on website.

Intake Process:

There is a waiting list for this program. Persons interested in applying for the waiting list can fill out an application on the CIRHA website, or pick up a paper application from the office.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Appointment Needed: No

Website: View Website

Program: CIRHA Family Self Sufficiency Program

The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program is designed to help Section 8 families to obtain economic independence. CIRHA establishes and maintains a savings account for the family. Once the family is on the FSS program and receives an increase in earned income that causes the families rent to increase, CIRHA will make a monthly deposit of the amount of the rent increase into the family’s FSS savings account. This interest-bearing account is held for the family by CIRHA. After successful completion of the FSS, the family is eligible to request the funds in their account.

In addition to providing the escrow account, CIRHA’s FSS Coordinators will work with the families and local agencies to provide any supportive services that may assist the family in achieving their goals for self-sufficiency.

Services:

Escrow account
Information & referral to supportive services
Individualized training & services plan

Eligibility:

Families must receive a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher through CIRHA to qualify for the Family Self Sufficiency Program.

Intake Process:

Contact CIRHA and ask for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program Coordinator.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Appointment Needed: No

Website: View Website