DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds today announced that the state’s Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program has received approval from FEMA and applications are now open. “In the course of eight weeks, Iowa was hit with three extreme weather systems, impacting more than 5,000 homes, of which, it’s estimated that more than 2,000 were destroyed,” said Governor Reynolds. “There is no more urgent need than ensuring displaced Iowans have temporary housing in the communities they call home while they recover and rebuild.”

As the governor announced last week in a press conference, the program provides temporary housing, which may include recreational vehicles and travel trailers, for up to six months at no cost for Iowans whose homes were majorly damaged, destroyed, or deemed not habitable in counties currently under a federal disaster declaration.

The following counties are currently eligible: Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Clay, Emmet, Jasper, Lyon, Montgomery, O’brien, Plymouth, Polk, Sioux, and Story. The recovery process and damage assessments are still ongoing and additional counties may become eligible.

Iowans whose primary residence is in a qualifying county must first apply for FEMA disaster assistance to be eligible for the program. You can register for FEMA Individual Assistance in the following ways:

Homeowners must also have filed a claim with their insurance company and have received final approval or denial of their claim. Applicable FEMA and insurance documentation is requested as part of the application process, including, but not limited to their FEMA Individual Assistance case number.

Applications are open now at DisasterRecovery.iowa.gov. Additionally, a call center will be open beginning Wednesday, July 17, at 3 p.m., to assist Iowans who may not have access to a computer and those who may need general assistance. Beginning Thursday, July 18, the call center will be open daily, including Saturday and Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. TTY and translation services are available.

For more information on disaster-related programs and resources available to Iowans, visit DisasterRecovery.iowa.gov.