Frequently Asked Questions about Applying
What is the difference in your programs?
NIRHA currently administers two programs: Public Housing and Section 8. To learn more about Public Housing, you can go to the information page here or download the brochure here. To learn more about the Section 8 program, you can go to the information page here or download the brochure here.
Public Housing properties are owned by NIRHA and the Authority manages and leases the properties. Units owned and managed by NIRHA are leased to low-income people on an income-based rental, or at a flat rental rate, depending upon what the resident chooses.
Housing Choice Voucher properties are owned and managed by private landlords who are willing to participate with the Voucher program. NIRHA subsidizes part of the resident's rent to the landlord making the housing affordable for the resident.
Who can I contact regarding my status on the waiting list or regarding applying?
If you have any questions, you may contact Carrie at 641-423-0897 ext 2. This is the extension for receiving information regarding the waiting list. Please wait at least two weeks from the date of sending or dropping off your application before calling regarding the status of your application. This allows us time to properly review and process your application.
When you check your status on the waiting list, we can verify that you are active on the waiting list but you will not be given a number.
Are your waiting lists currently open?
Yes, our waiting lists are all currently open.
Note: Waiting lists are opened and closed based on availability of units and the length of existing waiting lists. Closings will be posted on this website.
What is the current wait for the programs?
Currently the wait for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is estimated to be six to nine months for applicants who can claim the Residency Preference. The wait for applicants without this preference is estimated to be several years.
The wait for Public Housing is dependent on when an unit is vacated. We cannot give a time frame for the waiting list for this program.
NIRHA currently administers two programs:
Public Housing Program
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Public Housing properties are owned by NIRHA and the Authority manages and leases the properties. Units owned and managed by NIRHA are leased to low-income people on an income-based rental, or at a flat rental rate, depending upon what the resident chooses.
Often referred to as “project based assistance”, the public housing program was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to highrise apartments for elderly families. It is referred to as “project based assistance” because the rental assistance is tied to the unit and not to the family. If the family moves out of the unit, the assistance terminates.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers federal aid to local housing authorities that manage the housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford. HUD furnishes technical and professional assistance in planning, developing and managing these developments.
The North Iowa Regional Housing Authority (NIRHA) Public Housing Program consists of 121 units of public housing located in ten family and senior developments. Unit sizes range from one to four bedrooms (not all sizes available at all sites).
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Housing Choice Voucher properties are owned and managed by private landlords who are willing to participate with the Voucher program. NIRHA subsidizes part of the resident's rent to the landlord making the housing affordable for the resident.
The housing choice voucher program (HCV) is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. Unlike the Public Housing program, the assistance is tied to the family rather than the unit. If the family moves out of one unit into another one, or even to another community or state, the assistance could be transferred with the family.
The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects like public housing.
Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by housing authorities. The housing authority receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.
A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice if the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the housing authority.
A housing subsidy is paid directly to the landlord by the housing authority on behalf of the participating family. The family pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
The North Iowa Regional Housing Authority (NIRHA) has contract authority with HUD to assist a maximum of 383 families throughout the eight county jurisdiction. However, due to continual budget reductions, NIRHA has not received sufficient funding to assist that number of families