Readiness Assessment Grant helps rural towns with housing

AMES — Iowa communities seeking to address housing needs and shape a stronger future can now apply for the 2026 Rural Housing Readiness Assessment Grant.

The grant supports rural towns as they evaluate their housing stock, gather public input and develop strategies to improve local conditions.

Offered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Center for Rural Revitalization, the program funds participation in Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Rural Housing Readiness Assessment, a step-by-step process designed to help communities turn housing concerns into workable plans.

“RHRA isn’t a prepackaged solution; it’s a community-led process,” said Omar Padilla, a community development specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Every town faces different pressures. We help them build a team, look at the data and develop strategies that match their local goals.”

To qualify for the grant, applicants must be Iowa-based local, county or tribal governments serving populations of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous to a city of 40,000 or more.

Countywide applicants must be located in one of Iowa’s 88 least populous counties. A $10,000 local cash match is required. Once the RHRA process is complete, participants receive a $20,000 grant to support early implementation efforts.

The RHRA process guides local housing committees through several phases — reviewing current policies and housing data, launching community surveys and participating in educational sessions led by extension staff. Each community creates an action plan grounded in local input and tailored to its resources and priorities.

Since 2020, 60 Iowa communities have completed or begun the RHRA process. Together, they’ve sparked more than $132 million in housing investments, with another $104 million planned for the near future.

Applications for the 2026 grant cycle are due Aug. 29.

Communities may also complete the RHRA process independently of the grant program.

“You don’t have to wait for funding to get started,” Padilla said. “The need is real across Iowa. Whether you’re applying for funding or not, RHRA is a proven tool to help communities take that next step.”

To learn more about RHRA, visit opportunityiowa.gov/community/revitalization/center-rural-revitalization/rural-housing-readiness-assessment or contact Omar Padilla at 515-520-2616 or opadilla@iastate.edu.