*11/8/24 Currently out of funding. Will not be accepting applications until Jan. 2025.

**Please note, all Polk County residents must go through the Capital Area Command location in Clive to apply for financial assistance.

Offers assist to suburban and rural areas of Polk, Dallas and Warren Counties with financial assistance, food, hygiene, home goods and other needs as items allow. Stops vary for each county:

• De Soto and Redfield - 1st and 3rd Monday of every month.
  • De Soto City Hall, 405 Walnut Street, 9 am-11 am
  • Redfield City Hall, 808 1st Street, 1 pm-3 pm
• Des Moines - 2nd Monday of every month
  • Salvation Army Thrift Store, 4620 SE 14th Street, 9 am-11 am and 1 pm-3 pm
• Indianola - 4th Monday of every month
  • WeLift Job Search Center, 106 East 2nd Avenue, 9 am-11 am and 1 pm-3 pm

Eligibility requirements - varies depending on the need. See the list of the following to know what to bring with you:

• Required For ALL Services:
  • ID/License
  • Medical card for those under the age of 18
  • New clients need proof of address for service area (Polk, Dallas or Warren Counties)
• Rent Assistance:
  • Current rental/lease agreement
  • Landlord/Property Manager/Apartment contact info (email preferred) *if you do not have these items you will need to follow up with a caseworker to provide the documentation)
  • Must plan to repay remaining balance owed after rental assistance
  • No transitional housing help
  • Only available once every 12 months
• Utility Assistance:
  • Must have disconnect notice *if you do not have these items you will need to follow up with a caseworker to provide the documentation
  • No transitional housing help
  • Only available once every 12 months
• Clothing Voucher:
  • Provided for work related circumstance, school clothing, winter clothing
  • Provide proof of employment or job interview to show need for clothing
  • Only available once every 12 months
• Food Assistance:
  • Only available once every 12 months
  • Amount provided in pantry dependent upon household size
• Pathway of Hope and Case Management:
  • Available to individuals/families with children under the age of 18 (counseling, financial assistance, resource advocate)
  • Case Management is availble to anyone (counseling, financial assistance, resource advocate)

Provides emergency assistance:

-- Rent

-- Utilities.

-- Mortgage.

-- Medicine.

-- Temporary financial assistance.

Offers one time financial assistance to individuals and families experiencing a crisis that has caused a homeless or near homeless situation. Stability assistance can be used for past due rent, past due utilities, or propane (depending on county). Assistance is available sporadically and only when funding is available.

Provides assistance to individuals and families who are facing a crisis situation with food and/or shelter. Homeless prevention services can assist families who are facing eviction or utility disconnection in preventing their family from becoming homeless.

Crisis funds may be available for one month's rent, utilities, or groceries for a short period of time. This assistance is intended for individuals and families who need temporary, one-time assistance to resolve an emergency situation.

Offers emergency assistance for past due rent, utilities, medical co-pays, health and work-related transportation costs. Program must be the last resort, and the amount of assistance is limited. Services may also include access up to 50 pounds of food. All items must be for personal household consumption.

Provides rental/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, approved case management, and approved supportive services directly related to the prevention of homelessness to eligible individuals and families located in Kendall County who are in danger of eviction, foreclosure, or homelessness or are currently homeless.

Eligible individuals in Grundy County can contact We Care of Grundy County at (815) 942-6389

May be able to assist with past due rent to those who have dealt with circumstances beyond the household's control. This program does not assist with mortgages or property taxes.

Program availability depends on funding availability. Rents must fall within the local rent standards for the household's size. These programs are funded by a Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

Case management, client needs assessment, goal setting/plan development, and assistance to stabilize housing for individuals and families. Services vary and may include assistance with rent, utilities, rental and/or utility deposits, depending upon verification of need and progress being made on goals. Eligibility and re-certification requirements may vary by program.

Limited funding is available and only offered during certain times of the year.

Connects youth and families with resources and support. Navigators have the ability to "fill gaps", either through helping agencies partner around a common goal, or through flexible funding for needs such as rent, utilities, transportation, and more.

Community Response is designed to reduce unnecessary involvement of child welfare and juvenile justice while increasing the informal and community supports for youth and families. The goal is to coordinate existing resources and match participants with a resource to either solve an immediate need or develop a longer-term coaching relationship.

Offers limited emergency assistance for, rent (last $100), utilities (last $75), diapers, other basic needs (such as hygiene products) for individuals and families who are experiencing economic hardship, assistance based on an immediate precipitating event, refers callers to appropriate community agencies that may be able to assist.

Provides monthly financial assistance to individuals who do not have adequate income or resources to provide for their own basic needs.

Provides a certain amount of money available each week for this program that changes from week to week. The agency will take applicants as long as the weekly funding holds out. Can be used for various needs, such as rent, power bills, and other essentials. Program may provide a referral for individuals needing more than $30.

Provides monthly assistance to adults who are not receiving, or do not qualify, for programs administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Assistance may be provided for basic living needs, such as utilities, shelter, food, personal essentials, and medical care.

Provides emergency assistance such as utility or shelter assistance on a case-by-case basis.

Provides rent, rent deposit, and utility assistance for people who are in a homeless situation. Case management services are also available as part of this program.

Homeless Case Manager Counties and Contact Information:

Lyn Carlen - Housing Coordinator 217-923-3113 ext. 274, cell 217-208-9175

Courtney Arnold - Cumberland and Edgar County Case Manager 217-921-5505 ext. 276, cell 217-549-115

Alexa Nunez - Coles County Case Manger 217-961-0831 ext. 405, cell 217-549-1081

Honey Arnold - Coles and Douglas County Case Manager 217-961-0831 ext. 602, cell 217-549-2463

Greg Ridenhour - Coles County Case Manager 217-500-3120 ext. 585, cell 217-549-4122

Romana Rodriquez - Crawford, Lawrence, and Richland Counties Case Manager 618-395-5505 ext. 264, cell 217-508-8070

Advises and aids veterans and their dependents in applying for federal benefits through compensation or pension claims. Emergency financial assistance for basic necessities such as rent, mortgage interests payments, utilities, burial expense and food may be available. Can also assists with applications for benefits made available by federal, state or local laws.

Offers assistance when funding is available, to individuals and families who are past due on their rent or utility payments and are at risk of becoming homeless or are homeless due to a recent financial crisis affecting their ability to pay housing costs. If funding available, may also be able to help with car repair assistance.