Funding to build & improve housing and services
The Polk County Housing Trust Fund allocates funds to organizations working to increase the supply and quality of affordable housing in Polk County, Iowa.
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Here you can find information about funds for housing development as well as supportive programs for people who need housing.
Please note these funds are not available for individuals. If you are an individual who needs help with your housing, see pchtf.org/housinghelp.
Housing Allocation Plan
2025 Housing Allocation Plan
The schedule and resources available for many PCHTF development programs are set forth in an annual Housing Allocation Plan. You may download the FY2025 plan before.
Last approved as revised December 20, 2024. Each year's plan is typically released in June. The Trust Fund runs on a July 1-June 30 fiscal year.
You will also want to download the 2024 guide to income limits and allowable rents under our development programs.
Last updated by HUD on April 1, 2024. Updates typically occur in April.
Development funding programs
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Pre-development technical assistance
Supports affordable housing, planning, and facilitates organizations that sponsor such housing. On December 6, 2024, the PCHTF board allocated an additional $10,000 to this program with applications open on an ongoing basis. E-mail mthompson@pchtf.org for details or to apply.
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Homelessness assistance programs
Programs that support homeless individuals either by Centralized Intake or permanent supportive housing that accepts clients from Centralized Intake. This program was previously called capacity building. ​The application for this program closed July 8, 2024 at noon central time.
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Owner occupied repair
For nonprofits and local governments to sustain affordability and vitality while maintaining safe and environmentally healthy housing stock. The application for this closed on Friday, October 25 at 3 pm central time.
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Single family homeownership
This program assists low-moderate income residents in buying safe, well built, affordable single family housing units in Polk County. The application for this program closed on Friday, January 3 at 11:59 pm central time.
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New rental development
This program supports and funds additional safe, well-built, affordable rental housing units in Polk County, Iowa. The application for this program closed on January 22, 2025 at 11:59 pm.
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Capital improvement of existing rental housing
Supports programs to improve currently available rental units. The application for this program will close on March 5, 2025, at 11:59 pm. Use this link for details and to apply: https://pchtf.formstack.com/forms/fy2025_capital_improvement
Revolving loan program
The Polk County Supervisors have provided PCHTF $3 million to seed a revolving loan fund for nonprofit developers of affordable housing working in Polk County.
The fund is intended to provide short term financing for uses including site acquisition or land purchase for affordable housing projects, construction financing for affordable housing projects, or bridge loans.
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Applicants will need to download the following Excel spreadsheet to use as an attachment when you apply. It has two tabs to submit budget and rent/home price information.
Complete information about the revolving loan program is contained within the program's application.
2022 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Special Allocation Program
In April, 2022, the Polk County Board of Supervisors approved a package of housing investments using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds including $12 million in capital funds to develop and improve multifamily housing.
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At this time, all funds from this program are committed. You can find information about past awards by reviewing the blog posts linked below.
Community Investment Grants
This program was previously known as Programs and Supportive Services (PSS)
PCHTF Community Investment funding provides investment and support into programmatic needs for organizations managing housing-focused programs in Polk County. It bridges the gap between affordable housing and families in our community to improve resident stability and self-sufficiency for successful housing outcomes.
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We will accept grant applications between April 5, 2024 - May 3, 2024.
The funds distributed through this program come from private gifts made by businesses, organizations, and individuals through our Stable, Steady Strong investment campaign.