Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program (DRHAP)

How it works

Pottawattamie County announced that the Iowa Finance Authority launched DRHAP for homeowners repairing a primary, owner-occupied residence after major damage from weather events declared eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance.

What the money covers

The county page says the financial award is for repair or rehabilitation of an eligible disaster-affected home.

Amounts and repayment

• Up to $50,000 per eligible home.
• Assistance is in the form of a forgivable loan.
• The loan is forgiven monthly over five years.
• The loan is secured by a recorded retention agreement.
• If the homeowner sells the home or it is no longer the primary residence before the five-year retention period ends, the remaining balance must be repaid upon sale.

How payments work

The county page says assistance may be paid directly to contractors or reimbursed to the homeowner for eligible costs already incurred.

Timing

The county says applications are accepted until funds are exhausted, and reviewed on a first-submitted, first-ready-to-proceed basis. Incomplete submissions may be given a reasonable time to cure deficiencies.