The Iowa National Guard is trying to let soldiers across the state know that there’s money available to help them buy a home. Iowa Guard spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Greg Hapgood says it’s a state program. Hapgood says the program was first established in March of 2005 and it was so popular that it ran out of money in October of 2005. But the Legislature appropriated two million more dollars for the program and he says that’s now available in the form of home ownership grants.
Hapgood says the five-thousand-dollar grants are for Iowans with just a few restrictions. He says the soldier must have served on active duty for a total of 90 days between September 11, 2001 and June 30 2007. Hapgood says the grants are available for active duty, national guard and reserve soldiers, and you must be a resident of the state and the home must be a primary residence and located in Iowa.
He says it has to be a home purchased after you get approval. He says the program is not retroactive, and the soldier has to get a home loan approved through an approved lender on the Iowa Finance Authority website. Hapgood says you can go on-line or call to see if you qualify.
Hapgood says the Iowa Finance Authority handles the loan applications and you can surf to: www.ifahome.com, or call 515-242-4960 or 515-281-8929. Hapgood says there are no income or purchase price limits for the program.