Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Holds Press Conference: Announces Disaster Recovery Programs

(Des Moines) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced several programs Thursday to help communities devastated by severe weather in the past three months. Reynolds held a news conference on Thursday alongside state agency and department heads providing emergency and recovery services for areas across Iowa affected by three severe weather systems.

In April and May, the towns of Greenfield and Minden were struck by tornadoes, while severe flooding affected several communities in northwest and north-central Iowa in June. The governor stated that the recent natural disasters have impacted two-thirds of Iowa’s 99 counties. Reynolds pointed out that the recent severe weather has affected more than 5,000 homes, and 2000 homes are estimated to have been destroyed.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced several programs to help communities affected by severe weather.

The state applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for approval of the Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program. To be administered by the state, the program would provide temporary housing through mobile homes, travel trailers, recreational vehicles, and modular homes for six months following the disaster.

The state is also launching the State Disaster Recovery New Housing Grant and Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance on July 15. The new housing grant program will use $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to provide grants for developers to build single-family, duplex and townhouse properties for sale and for rent in counties eligible for FEMA individual assistance funds.