Iowa Rural Communities Encouraged to Apply for Housing Grants

By Andi Anderson

Iowa’s rural communities now have the opportunity to apply for the 2026 Rural Housing Readiness Assessment (RHRA) Grant Program. This grant helps small towns evaluate local housing needs, engage residents, and create strategies to improve housing availability and quality.

Offered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Center for Rural Revitalization, the grant supports participation in the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s RHRA program.

This community-led process guides local leaders through assessing housing conditions, gathering public input, and developing customized action plans.

“RHRA isn’t a prepackaged solution; it’s a community-led process,” explained Omar Padilla, a community development specialist with ISU Extension. “We help them build a team, analyze data, and create strategies that match their goals.”

To qualify, applicants must be Iowa-based local, county, or tribal governments serving populations of 20,000 or fewer and not neighboring cities of 40,000 or more. Countywide applicants must be from one of Iowa’s 88 least populated counties.

A $10,000 local cash match is required, and upon completing the RHRA process, participants receive a $20,000 grant to help begin their housing improvement efforts.

The RHRA process includes reviewing local housing policies, analyzing data, conducting surveys, and attending educational sessions led by ISU Extension staff. Each community creates a unique action plan based on local input and priorities.

Since 2020, more than 60 Iowa communities have used RHRA to spark over $132 million in housing investments, with an additional $104 million planned.

Applications for the 2026 grant cycle are open until August 29, 2025. Details are available on the Rural Housing Readiness Assessment Grant Program website.

Communities can also complete the RHRA process without applying for the grant. “You don’t have to wait for funding,” said Padilla. “RHRA is a proven tool to help communities move forward.”

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