Aging at Home in Iowa

• Happy at Home Consulting referral form: https://happyathomeconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Home-Modifications-Referral-Program-v4.pdf
• Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
  • Search by zipcode here: https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/About/Aging_Network/AAA.aspx
• CDC Check for Safety
  • Assessment here: https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/check_for_safety_brochure-a.pdf
• Online AARP Home Fit Guide
  • Print Guide
  • iOS App
  • Quiz
  • Link here: https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/housing/info-2020/homefit-worksheets.html
• Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS)
  • Credential from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
  • Find a CAPS here: “Professionals with Home Building Designations”

CAPABLE is grant funded in Iowa through the Administration on Community Living. 

It is currently available through a select number of counties with Connections AAA and Happy at Home Consulting presently provides the CAPABLE program in Polk and Dallas Counties. Use the Home Modifications Referral Form for CAPABLE referrals. Read more on our program updates here: Evidence Based Programs Update.

Home Hazards Removal Program (HARP) is available to patients across Iowa, subject to availability of funding and insurance coverage. Please use the Home Modifications Referral Form to refer patients to HARP. 

Learn more about Evidence-Based Programs in your community by contacting your local AAA.

Additional information regarding Habitat for Humanity & Rebuilding Together Below. 

Equity Loans

A home equity loan (sometimes called a HEL) allows you to borrow money using the equity in your home as collateral. Read more from consumerfinance.gov

Housing Trust Funds

Find your local housing trust fund here: https://www.iowafinance.com/content/uploads/2022/07/Local-Housing-Trust-Fund-Map-and-Contact-List.pdf

Reverse Mortgages (HECM)

Reverse mortgages are increasing in popularity with seniors who have equity in their homes and want to supplement their income. The only reverse mortgage insured by the U.S. Federal Government is called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), and is only available through an FHA-approved lender. The HECM is FHA’s reverse mortgage program that enables you to withdraw a portion of your home’s equity. Learn more from HUD: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/hecm/hecmhome

 

22 Habitat for Humanity affiliates serve over 47 counties in the state of Iowa. Each local organization is a 501c3 nonprofit with a unique board of directors and geographic service area, which can be a small city or multiple counties. Affiliates set their own policy, choose their own families and house plans, but also agree to abide by a common covenant of principles and guidelines outlined by Habitat for Humanity International. In Iowa, affiliates range in size from small, rural groups with an all-volunteer board of directors building one house per year, to larger organizations building and repairing homes for dozens of families per year.

 

• Need: Families must earn between 0-60% of the area median income and own their home.
• Ability to pay: After a complete home assessment our staff will determine what, if any, repayment is needed for our services.
• Willingness to partner: Rock the Block ® partner families are required to complete a minimum of eight (8) hours of sweat equity.

* Plus other qualifying details

Learn more here: https://gdmhabitat.org/programs-services/rock-the-block-home-repairs/

Rebuilding Together has two branches in Iowa, Greater Des Moines and Muscatine. 

Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit organization dedicated to repairing homes of those who, due to financial hardship, age, and/or disability, cannot do the work themselves.

Income Qualifications

• One Person – $38,346
• Two Persons – $43,824
• Three Persons – $49,302
• Four Persons – $54,780
• Five Persons – $59,162
• Six Persons – $63,545
• Seven Persons – $67,927
• Eight Persons – $72,310

(Maximum household annual income guidelines based on HUD median income.)

1. Applicants must own and live in their own home and have neither the resources nor the ability to do the work themselves.
2. Applicants must meet income eligibility guidelines and provide documentation of total household income (all persons living in the home).
3. The home can not be valued over $147,000.
4. The home can not be a rental or contractual purchase home.
5. The homeowner must be current on property taxes or property tax installment payment plan.

Able Up Iowa

Able Up Iowa helps people of all abilities become independent by providing solutions of financial needs and empowering them to achieve financial goals.

Read more here: https://ableupiowa.org/

American Legion 

Many posts maintain a library of donated medical equipment available at no cost. 

Find your local post here: https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Find-a-Post

Care Credit

Healthcare financing option.

https://www.carecredit.com/howcarecreditworks/prospective/

Easter Seals

Assistive Technology Lending Library offers an opportunity to trial equipment prior to purchase. Read more: 

https://www.easterseals.com/ia/our-programs/assistive-technology-center/assistive-technology-lending.html

Equipment Loan Program offers refurbished equipment at a nominal fee. Learn more here: https://www.easterseals.com/ia/our-programs/assistive-technology-center/equipment-loan.html

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

PACE programs coordinate and provide all needed preventive, primary, acute and long-term care services so older individuals can continue living in the community. 

https://www.npaonline.org/pace-you/pacefinder-find-pace-program-your-neighborhood

USDA Single Family Repair Loan or Grant

Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants/ia

Iowa Community Action Committees

Read more here: https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/iowas-community-action-agencies

County Weatherization Programs

Find your county’s office here: https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/liheap

Medicine Assistance Tool

https://medicineassistancetool.org/

Free Clinics of Iowa

https://www.fciowa.org/clinic-locations

Sonya Ackerson

Founder of: The Sonya Group

(c) 515-707-4265

sonya@thesonyagroup.com

Abigail Logan

Highest Level Senior Care

(515) 236-0725

abigail@highestlevelseniorcare.com

Tisa Johnson

Senior Transitioning Services of Central Iowa, LLC

(515) 735-3344

www.seniortransitioning.com

Invest DSM

https://investdsm.org/

Neighborhood Finance Committee *Also available in Cedar Rapids.

https://neighborhoodfinance.org/