The Iowa Legislature passes eleven budget bills each year to fund parts of state government. The state budget year (called a "fiscal year") starts on July 1. The 2019 Legislature approved fiscal year 2020 budgets, which funds state government from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.
Many Iowans with a disability cannot live safely in their homes, and may be forced to move into residential long-term care facilities rather than stay at home. There are a few local programs to help pay for needed home modifications, but these programs do not currently serve the whole state. There is funding for home modifications available through the Medicaid program, but it is only available to Medicaid members.
Organizations that support older Iowans, individuals with disabilities, and those with serious health conditions have been working together to advocate for a statewide home modfication grant program to help fill this gap. They have formed the Livable Homes Coalition.
The Coalition supports the creation of an infrastructure program to help low income Iowans living with a disability caused by age, chronic disease, or injury to modify their homes to increase accessibility, safety, and to remain independent. The Coalition is asking for $1 million to fund grants of up to $5,000 to help offset the costs of modifying homes of persons who are over the age of 65 or living with a disability. To be eligible, the person must own their home and must not earn more than 300% of the federal poverty level.