Iowans across the state experienced devastating tornadoes and flooding in 2024. As the state worked to assist those in need, it became clear that several changes to the Iowa code were necessary to streamline our disaster assistance process and make it easier for Iowans to get the help they need as soon as possible.
Immediately after these disasters struck, the Governor and her cabinet began working to leverage all tools available to assist in the recovery. For the first time in history, Iowa launched a program to provide short-term housing typically only seen in southern states impacted by hurricanes. The following disaster relief programs assisted Iowans:
Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program
- Provided safe and secure temporary housing to those citizens displaced by the disasters, in the form of campers and travel trailers placed in their home communities
Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program
- Activated and funded through the Governor’s emergency fund transfer authority to provide forgivable loans up to $50,000 to homeowners to help cover the costs of repairs to their damaged homes
Homes for Iowa Program
- Made available five pre-fabricated homes for disaster-impacted Iowans through a unique partnership with Iowa Prison Industries and the Department of Corrections
State Disaster New Housing Grant Program
- Launched to incentivize the development of new homes specifically in communities impacted by disasters to provide new housing options rapidly
State Disaster Farm Interest Program
- Gives impacted Iowa farmers the ability to secure disaster loans from their local lenders, interest free for the first year up to $50,000 per household
GOV. REYNOLDS PROPOSES:
- Adding to the Nuisance Property and Abandoned Building Fund
- Extending tax exclusion to disaster assistance for housing developers who received awards under the State Disaster New Housing Grant Program
- Adjusting insurance regulations to better protect consumers and homeowners from unfair practices
- Modifying emergency funds transfer authority in times of disaster to ensure state government’s flexible response
- Setting up the new Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund
- Fully funding disaster aid programs established in response to storms of 2024
Pursuant to discussions with the legislature this past summer, $13.6 million is requested from the Economic Emergency Fund to fund this essential disaster aid to Iowans. The Governor is also proposing to extend tax exclusions to disaster assistance for housing developers who received awards under the State Disaster New Housing Grant Program.
The Governor’s bill also incorporates lessons learned from the 2024 disasters, including adjustments to insurance regulations to better protect consumers and homeowners from unfair practices. The bill further proposes adjustments to emergency funds transfer authority in times of disaster to ensure state government can be nimble when disaster strikes. The Governor also proposes adding $2 million to the Nuisance Property and Abandoned Building Fund to assist local communities in tearing down disaster-damaged buildings that are beyond repair.
Finally, the bill also sets up the new Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund, to build resiliency from future disasters.
