Housing Development 
The Southern Iowa Council of Governments (SICOG) provides assistance and administrative support for various housing programs including rehabilitation for owner occupied housing. SICOG also provides assistance with writing grants to complete housing assessments and market studies for cities and counties. The assessment can be comprehensive or targeted.
Other grant programs that SICOG has assisted cities and counties with include grants to hire staff people to initiate housing projects and also perform feasibility studies, architectural, or engineering studies.
Available housing grants are funded by the Iowa Department of Economic Development's housing fund as well as the Iowa Finance Authority. Funding can be sought for a variety of projects including:
Southern Iowa Council of Governments (SICOG) has been actively involved in implementing and operating housing programs since 1983. The various programs we have been involved with have benefited low and moderate-income residents throughout our eight county area.
SICOG operates our own housing programs, as well as assists member communities in the development, funding, and operation of community-based programs. If you are a homeowner or potential homeowner and are interested in any of the following housing programs, please contact our housing planner or download the application below.
If you are considering appling for this program please download all forms.
| Income Limits |  |
| Application Form | |
| Verification Form | |
If you are considering appling for this program please download all forms
| Program Description |
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| Application Form (word) |
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| Application Form (pdf) | |
| Income Verification Form | |
Emergency Repair Program Grant/Loan Fund
Loans are available to income-qualified homeowners in any of our member communities for home repairs to eliminate health and safety hazards including roofs, furnaces, water heaters, etc.
Rehabilitation Programs
These programs are developed in communities where poor housing conditions and the need for rehabilitation has been identified. Income-qualified homeowners can receive assistance to complete substantial repairs and assistance is provided as a part loan / part forgivable loan.
First Time Homebuyer Programs
This program is for any community that have identified insufficient down payments as a barrier to homeownership for families. Assistance is provided as a 2% loan to potential homeowner to match their down payment funds to make homes more affordable. Southern Iowa also has a regional down payment loan program available for use in all eight counties.
New Construction
Southern Iowa Council of Governments staff members can help with the development of new single-family homes and subdivisions, providing technical assistance in grant writing, financial packaging, and marketing.
Spec Financing Revolving Loan Fund
SICOG has available funding to make partial construction loans to contractors for new spec homes. Contractors or developers can receive a loan of up to $20,000 towards construction costs at a low interest rate. The home may sell for up to $110,000.
Lead-Based Paint and Asbestos Inspection and Abatement
SICOG’s housing inspector is certified lead paint sampling technician and can assist with identifying and removing lead paint
hazards..