City of Ames residents could soon receive housing assistance. | Pixabay
City of Ames residents could soon receive housing assistance. | Pixabay
Residents of Ames who are facing eviction or foreclosure due to COVID-19 might soon receive financial assistance.
The City of Ames received more than $350,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to be used for pandemic prevention, preparation and response. The funds, given in a community development block grant, will be used to assist renters and homeowners with rent and utilities, according to the Ames Tribune.
Final qualification guidelines for renters have not yet been established by HUD but renters must have been in good standing as of March 31. Rental assistance is capped at three months and cannot exceed $3,000.
Public housing residents, Section 8 residents and those enrolled in government-based rental assistance programs are not eligible for this assistance. Iowans receiving federal unemployment assistance are also ineligible.
Gov. Kim Reynolds placed a moratorium on evictions from March 20 through May 27. Eviction hearings will resume in mid-June and mid-July.
A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy member suggested that assistance be given first to those who are facing immediate threat of eviction or foreclosure. An Ames City Council member said judging who is in greater distress is not going to be an easy task.
Alerts Sign-up