265—29.2(16) Operation of program with local program administrators.
	29.2(1) Local program administrators. For purposes of this chapter, “local program administrator” means any of the following:
	a. 	The cities of Ames, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Waterloo, and West Des Moines.
	b. 	A council of governments whose territory includes at least one county that is the subject of a state of disaster emergency proclamation by the governor that authorizes disaster recovery housing assistance or the eviction prevention program under Iowa Code section 16.57C on or after June 16, 2021.
	c. 	A community action agency as defined in Iowa Code section 216A.91 whose territory includes at least one county that is the subject of a state of disaster emergency proclamation by the governor that authorizes disaster recovery housing assistance or the eviction prevention program under Iowa Code section 16.57C on or after June 16, 2021.
	d. 	A qualified local organization, organized as a nonprofit in the state of Iowa, or a governmental entity that provides housing stability services. Housing stability services may include:
	(1)	Housing counseling;
	(2)	Legal services related to eviction proceedings and maintaining housing stability; and
	(3)	Housing navigation services.
	29.2(2) Agreements with local government administrators. The authority will enter into agreements with local program administrators working in disaster-affected counties for the purpose of reviewing applications for disaster recovery housing assistance and determining whether applicants are eligible for assistance under the program.
	29.2(3) Review of requests for assistance. To be considered for a forgivable loan or grant under the program, a homeowner or renter must register for the disaster case management program established pursuant to Iowa Code section 29C.20B. The disaster case manager may refer the homeowner or renter to the appropriate local program administrator. If referred by disaster case managers, homeowners and renters will submit applications to local program administrators in the manner prescribed by the authority. Local program administrators shall accept and review each application. The authority may award a forgivable loan or grant after a local program administrator has determined the following:
	a. 	Whether the applicant is eligible for assistance.
	b. 	Whether the requested funds are being requested for a use permitted under the program.
	c. 	The amount of financial assistance to be awarded to the homeowner or renter.
	29.2(4) Administrative fees. The authority shall not use more than 5 percent of the moneys in the fund on July 1 of a fiscal year for purposes of administrative costs and other program support during the fiscal year. The authority may share a portion of the funds reserved for its administrative costs with local program administrators to reimburse their administrative costs.
	29.2(5) Proceeds of repayments. All loan amounts repaid to the authority by an eligible homeowner pursuant to this chapter shall be returned to the disaster recovery housing assistance fund created in Iowa Code section 16.57B.
[ARC 7021C, IAB 5/31/23, effective 7/5/23]