Atlantic, IA – The Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund (SWIHTF), a non-profit administered by Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), was recently awarded a $125,000 grant from the Iowa West Foundation for 2024, to be used for housing repairs. Officials says SWIPCO was able to leverage the grant funds along with other grant monies, to complete wide ranging housing repairs across the region.

As an example, projects completed in the past year have included a bathroom remodel and plumbing fix, new air conditioning unit and installation, and a foundation repair, just to name a few. Sixteen projects were completed in 2023 with Iowa West funds and SWIPCO has completed or is finishing 44 home repair projects from 2023 funding. The repairs are completed for income qualified recipients and can address both long term and urgent needs.

SWIPCO Community Development Director Erin Hudson described the importance of the funding, saying “Iowa West Foundation grants make immediate differences. They are owner centered, so SWIPCO places the needs of the homeowner first and foremost. We work with the homeowner and contractors to assure everything works out to everyone’s satisfaction. Iowa West Foundation monies assist SWIPCO to help in home repairs that we may not otherwise be able to accomplish.”

Photos of the completed bathroom project and of the resident; Cynthia Samuel in the updated room. (Photos & info. courtesy SWIPCO Communications Coordinator Chris Parks)

The mission of the Iowa West Foundation is to improve lives and strengthen communities for current and future generations. Partnerships with local casinos Ameristar, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe make it possible for the Foundation to continuously award outcome-focused grants in southwest Iowa communities. Fees from gaming and income from Foundation investments provide funding for programs and projects that benefit the residents of 14 counties in southwest Iowa.

SWIPCO is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.