Section 265.22.4. Application for direct rent subsidy.

Applications for the program may be obtained on the authority’s Web site at www.iowafinanceauthority.gov or by contacting the authority at the address set forth in 265—Chapter 1.

       22.4(1) Application process. The application for aftercare rent subsidy and a monthly budget form must be completed, verified by the self-sufficiency advocate and submitted to the authority by the youth’s self-sufficiency advocate. The application and referenced forms will require the following information:

        a.           The youth’s estimated monthly gross earned and unearned income for the 12 months following application.

        b.           Written evidence from sources of local rental assistance available in the youth’s community that the youth has applied for that rental assistance and that the youth has been determined ineligible or placed on a waiting list for that rental assistance, or that the waiting list is closed.

        c.           The amount of the total rent for the rental unit.

        d.           Number of bedrooms in the rental unit.

        e.           Names of the people who are on, or will be on, the lease.

        f.            Number of the youth’s minor dependents.

        g.           Evidence that the youth has lived in a transitional apartment, completed a renter education and awareness program, or is enrolled to participate or is currently participating in a renter education and awareness program.

        h.           Date of the youth’s birth.

       22.4(2) Date of application. The date of the application shall be the date the completed application is received by the authority. Any applications received after a monthly payment calculation will not receive a subsidy payment until the next succeeding payment cycle after approval of the application. No back payment for rent will be paid.

       22.4(3) Payment determination. The self-sufficiency advocate shall be notified by the authority on or about the date that the authority calculates the payment for that month as to whether the youth’s application has been approved.

       22.4(4) Waiting list. After funds available for this program are committed, the authority shall deny pending applications.

        a.           Youth not awarded funding who meet the eligibility requirements shall be placed on a statewide waiting list according to the order in which the completed applications were received by the authority. In the event that more than one application is received at one time, the youth shall be entered on the waiting list on the basis of the day of the youth’s birthday, lowest number being first on the waiting list. Any subsequent tie shall be decided by the month of birth, with January being month one.

        b.           The self-sufficiency advocate shall be notified of the waiting list decision on or about the date that the authority calculates the payment for that month. The notice shall state that the youth meets eligibility requirements but no funds are available and that the youth shall be placed on the waiting list.

        c.           When funding allows additional youth to be added to the program, they shall be taken from the statewide waiting list, and their eligibility shall be redetermined at that time. An application packet, which includes instructions and necessary forms for verification of continuing eligibility, shall be sent to the self-sufficiency advocate for completion, with such application to be returned to the authority within time lines specified by the authority. If the signed application and verification of continuing eligibility are not received by the time line specified by the authority, the youth’s name shall be dropped from consideration for receipt of the rent subsidy payment.