Polk County Emergency Home Repair Program
Polk County's emergency home repair program can help with a variety of repair needs focused on safety, livability, accessibility, and more.
What services does the program provide?
The cost of necessary repairs may not exceed 20% of the assessed value of the property up to $12,000.00. For Mobile Homes, the cost of necessary repairs may not exceed $2500.00. If the repair cost exceeds these maximums, the owner will be given the opportunity to fund the remaining balance.
Emergency Home Repairs-Health/Safety items. This is defined as items within a home that if not repaired/replaced would result in the occupants to not be able to live in the home or if not repaired/replaced would result in other components of the home to become damaged.
Who is eligible?
Owner occupied households.
Income limit is based at 80% or below the HUD Median Income for Des Moines MSA/Polk County guidelines determined by the most current Housing and Urban Development figures. (Applicant must provide income documentation as needed.)
The adjusted assessed value of the home including land cannot exceed $242,000.
The home must be owner-occupied, titled in the name of the owner occupant for at least one (1) year from the date of the application as determined by a recorded deed with the Polk County Recorder’s Office.
Homestead Credit must be approved by the Polk County Assessor’s Office.
Property Taxes and Special Assessments must be current or listed as suspended with the Polk County Treasurer’s Office.
The Property cannot be listed on a nuisance list by any governmental entity.
Property cannot be in foreclosure process from any financial lending institution.
Financial asset limits are set at a $50,000.00 cumulative maximum. Assets included in this limit are: Balances on checking, savings accounts, cash value in a life insurance policy, certificate of deposits, and equity in real estate owned other than personal residence.
How does someone apply?
Residents can apply in-person, request by email, and telephone.
An application is taken by staff and documents relating to income, property ownership are received to determine eligibility.
Provided by Polk County Public Works Housing Services Division.
Please note: This information was last reviewed on Tue Dec 09 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time). Program policies and guidelines may change, and this listing may not include all details. Always contact an individual program directly for the most complete, current information.
Use these buttons to browse through other Owner Occupied Home Repair Programs listed in our guide.