Down-payment assistance, repairs to bring houses up to code and rehabilitation standards are part of the new Homebuyers Assistance Program offered through the East Central Iowa Council of Governments, or ECICOG. The program is available to first time homebuyers or veterans in Washington, Iowa, Johnson, Benton, Jones, and Linn counties.

There are some applicant requirements including income and property. The applicant must be a first time homebuyer or a veteran and have an annual household income that does not exceed 80% of the current median income; in Washington County for a four-person home this is $54,700.

The program is funded in part by the Iowa Finance Authority HOME Program, which aims to provide decent and affordable housing to lower-income households. For more information click here.