SICOG offers housing planning for our members in the region through the use of Housing Needs Assessments. Housing Needs Assessments can assist cities and counties in determining and documenting housing needs and developing a strategic plan for housing. Plans can also be developed to assist communities that have utilized Tax Increment Financing and are required to use a proportion of the taxes generated to assist low-to-moderate income households. Furthermore, SICOG is willing to have a comprehensive discussion about what funding sources are available for particular projects and how SICOG can help to achieve community-housing goals.
For more information about planning services that SICOG offers, check out our Planning Page for more details.
Grants are available for housing projects. Grants can help fund development projects and programs from the planning stage through implementation and operation. Almost any project, program, or initiative can be funded in part by funding from grant sources outside of the city. SICOG has experience with construction, equipment, staffing, planning, and operations grants. SICOG offers free grant writing services to member communities. Visit the Grant Opportunities page for a full listing of grants available.
The following are housing specific grants that are available to communities.
Grant |
Funding Uses |
Eligible Applicants |
Estimated Deadlines |
| FHLB Affordable Housing Program | Affordable housing programs – ownership, new construction, rehabilitation, rental projects | Local governments, non-profits, and private developers (see article) | Spring/Summer |
Iowa struggles to build moderately priced new homes, especially in rural areas, and struggles to fill positions in skilled trades. The solution is that Iowa Prison Industries will build the homes near Newton Correctional Facility, and offenders are trained in skilled building trades, including apprenticeship curriculum. After the homes are completed, they will be trucked to the homes site.
For more information on Homes for Iowa go to https://www.homesforia.com/
The Southern Iowa Development Group, Inc. Housing Revolving Loan Fund (SIDG H-RLF) was created to help first-time homebuyers meet the need for a down payment on a home. It has been determined that the lack of sufficient down payment is the major obstacle for individuals when looking to obtain a home loan.
The SIDG Housing Revolving Loan Fund is available to eligible homebuyers in SIDG’s eight county region where local match has been provided. These counties include: Adair, Adams, Clarke, Decatur, Madison, Ringgold, Taylor, and Union.
To help close the gap:
SICOG H-RLF loans require a 25% local match in funds. The match can be provided by any source such as: a local bank, development group, realtor, city, county, or private individual. A first-time homebuyer is defined as someone who has not owned or purchased a home in the last three years. SIDG can generally make a loan to a borrower at any income level. At least 51% of the first-time homebuyers must meet low-to-moderate income guidelines. The local financial institution or realtor will most likely be the buyer’s first contact regarding the SIDG H-RLF program. The financial institution will conduct the initial phase of the loan review and application process and is also required to sign the SIDG loan application form.
Providing local match funds is a positive way for local governments, employers or others to encourage potential homebuyers to remain within their communities as homeowners, help create a stable workforce, and bring benefits of homeownership among citizens who might otherwise not be able to purchase their first home.
For more information, check out our Housing-RLF Brochure.
First-Time Homebuyers Inquiry Form– Word Doc
First-Time Homebuyers Inquiry Form– Fillable PDF
If you are interested in further information about this program, please call the SICOG office at (641) 782-8491.