Osceola County EDC encourages use of Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund

The Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund is an independent, nonprofit organization that was established in 2009 to address the housing needs of low and moderate income residents in Northwest Iowa, including Osceola County.

Any homeowner living in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, and Sioux County who has a gross Annual Income Under 80% of the Area Median Income Limits (AMI) is eligible to apply.

Financial assistance is provided to low to moderate income homeowners to make necessary home repairs. The financial assistance can be in the form of both forgivable grants and loans, and/or low interest loans (2%) depending on the homeowner’s income. At least 30% of the trust’s funds are set aside to assist households with incomes under 30% of the area median income.

Osceola County residents who meet the income limits can qualify for various forms of assistance, including emergency repairs and rental rehab. Mobile home owners can also be eligible for emergent repairs such as hot water heater replacements, furnace repairs/replacements, or handicap accessibility.

Applications can be submitted at any time.

The Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund is run through the Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission, based in Spencer. In 2018, a total of $288,981 was distributed to housing projects: $218,290 in grants, and $70,691 in loans.

For more information, or application materials, please contact the Osceola County Economic Development Commission office on 712-754-2523, or in the Osceola County Courthouse in Sibley. Application materials can be found on the Osceola County EDC website here.