Iowa Agency Awards $730,000 in Grants for Homelessness Services

The Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors issued a press release today, announcing new grant awards of $730,680 to be given to 16 homeless and domestic violence shelters across Iowa. The funds will bring much-needed relief to many local agencies who help the homeless, especially at this time of year.

According to their press release: “The Iowa Finance Authority is proud to support homeless and domestic violence shelters in their work serving some of Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. “The grants announced today will allow these Iowa agencies to continue providing shelter services to Iowans in need.”

A total of forty-nine Iowa counties will benefit from homeless services assistance. Some of the area agencies that received grants include:

• Foundation 2, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, which received $50,000 to help the homeless.
• The Dubuque Community YMCA/YWCA, which received $47,500 in grant money to support a variety of programs.
• The Family Resources, Inc. in Davenport, which received $50,000 for local services.

The Iowa Finance Authority received 19 eligible applications for the assistance. The program is funded with proceeds from the Real Estate Transfer Tax.

The Iowa Council on Homelessness reported that 17,301 Iowans experienced homelessness or were at-risk of homelessness in 2015.

[souce: IFA]