Every state has down payment or homeownership assistance programs; some states have both. The programs are designed to provide affordable housing opportunities to homebuyers who might not ordinarily be able to afford a house.
Each program can have their own income and eligibility requirements but primarily the programs are available for first-time homebuyers or low-income families.
Keep in mind if you had no ownership in a principal residence in the previous 3 years, you are also considered a first-time homebuyer even if you owned a home prior to that 3-year period.
The programs are not usually administered directly through the State. Instead, they are nonprofit based and handled through a third party agency. The list below will start you on your search but be sure to confirm the program is currently available.
(Source: HUD.gov)
Statewide and Regional Programs
Iowa Finance Authority statewide homebuyer programs – the Iowa Finance Authority offers several homebuying assistanct programs which are available wherever you live in the State of Iowa
Area 15 Regional Planning Commission – Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello, and Wayne Counties
Community Opportunities, Inc. – Calhoun, Crawford, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie, Ida, Sac counties
East Central Iowa Council of Governments – Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Washington counties
Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments – Bremmer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, and Grundy counties
Southern Iowa Council of Governments – Adair, Adams, Clarke, Decatur, Madison, Ringgold, Taylor and Union counties
Southwest Iowa Planning Council – Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby counties
Iowa Affiliates of Habitat for Humanity – through volunteer labor, builds and rehabilitates houses for families in need
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing – homebuyer programs in rural communities
Homeowner education programs – learn how to purchase and maintain a home of your own
Community contacts – find out if your community offers homeownership assistance
Local Programs
Algona
Council Bluffs
Davenport:
United Neighbors
Des Moines
Iowa City:
City of Iowa City
Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship
1700S 1st Ave, Suite 25B
Iowa City, IA
(319) 358-9212
Oskaloosa
Sioux City
Waterloo:
Operation Threshold