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Provides housing stability support for residents of Stephenson and Jo Daviess Counties who are at risk of eviction or losing essential services. Through federal and state funding, can help local households with rent, mortgage, or utility payments to prevent homelessness.

Assistance is not guaranteed and is based on available funding. Priority may be given to households with children, seniors, or individuals with disabilities.

Provides assistance in determining eligibility and filing for veteran benefits, including burial benefits. These services include completion of forms, referrals, follow-up services, and other assistance. Temporary financial assistance may be available for rent or mortgage, utilities/propane, gas, and food.

Provides eligible homeowners with mortgage assistance who have had economic hardship to sustain housing.

Housing insecurity assistance program for veterans, including assistance with eviction prevention and help for unhoused veterans to gain entry into long-term housing.

- For Eviction Prevention, landlords must accept a third-party check for payment. The program does not provide general rent assistance; an eviction notice, pay or quit notice, or notice to vacate is required. The service also applies to lot rent eviction for mobile homes. May be able to pay eviction-related attorney fees (if applicable). Applications/referrals may take up to 7 days to be received by the intake team.

- Mortgage foreclosure assistance is possible, but a bank may take a while to issue a foreclosure date; Semper Fi needs documentation of the actual upcoming eviction date.

- For help with entry into new housing, the program can provide first month rent, deposit (if applicable), and end-door deposit (if applicable). The program cannot cover moving costs or storage unit fees. Only available to individuals who are currently homeless. Does not support transitions between existing residences; it is solely intended to help those without housing to enter stable accommodations.

Neither service is necessarily a onetime benefit.

Provides emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, mortgage, and life-saving prescription medications to those that meet income guidelines.

Cross Outreach is an outreach program established to assist people in crisis with basic survival needs. Can offer a one-time gift toward the payment of mortgage as time and funding permits. Does not assist with car gas.

2026 Intake Dates are always on the 3rd Monday of each month, 8 am-8 pm.

General Assistance provides temporary assistance for basic or special needs to low income persons who reside in Polk County. RENTAL ASSISTANCE (Potential First Month's Rent Assistance as well) may be available to those in need. For First Month's Rent - Must be able to prove the following - property must have a valid housing certificate, must be able to show that housing is affordable, utilities must be set up in applicants name and if newly employed, must provide 2-3 check stubs. **FOR UTILITY ASSISTANCE: November 1-April 30 anyone seeking help for Electric MUST go through the LIHEAP program first. Those applying for Utility Assistance from G.A. must have an acceptance or denial letter from LIHEAP. Must have a disconnect notice and 12 month billing and payment history from the utility company. For water help - call to check on availability of funds. CREMATION EXPENSE ASSISTANCE may be available to those who meet the income guidelines. MEDICAL EXPENSE ASSISTANCE may be available for medical supplies (no longer helps with prescription costs) and assistance with transportation to out of town appointments. MORTGAGE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE may be available to those needing help with their mortgage payment. PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT ASSISTANCE may be available to assist elderly (aged 65 and older) and disabled homeowners who may qualify for suspension of property taxes. TRAVELER'S ASSISTANCE may provide transient transportation expenses to person stranded in Polk County for 24 hours or less. Applicant may be eligible if they are not a resident of Polk County and is traveling to another destination where he/she has family or other housing available to them.

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, utilities, burial expense and food may be available. Can also assists with applications for benefits made available by federal, state or local laws.

Offers to assist HIV positive individuals with housing referrals, rent, deposit, mortgage, and utility assistance. Encompasses both long-term and short-term assistance and is offered in 64 central and southern counties.

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

Centralized Financial Assistance is open to anyone in Linn County that needs help with financial assistance (e.g. rent, utilities, etc.). Local area agencies that help with financial assistance in the Linn County area are transitioning to a Centralized Financial Assistance center that can help direct residents of Linn County to the appropriate financial assistance resources in their area. This is a collaborative effort between United Way of East Central Iowa, Linn County, Waypoint and local community agencies. If you need help with rent, utilities or mortgage in the Linn County area you MUST call the Centralized Financial Assistance number to get help from the following participating agencies:

• Linn County General Assistance
• Salvation Army
• Family Promise
• Helping Hands
• Willis Dady
• Marion Cares

Important Note: Individuals must call to request rental or other financial assistance. Assistance is not guaranteed, as rental and financial assistance depends on available funding. While agencies have funding at times, availability can change, calling is required to determine if assistance is currently available. 

Please note: Waypoint is working to reach back out to those that leave a message with their request for help within 48 hours. Please make sure voicemails are set up and/or empty in case Waypoint calls you back and needs to leave you a message. If you would like to email your help request, you can send an email to: [email protected]

Provides mortgage assistance. Individuals must have a default letter either from the bank or the individual that property is being purchased from.

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.

Provides short term financial assistance to veterans in need. Assistance can include help with rent or mortgage and utility bills.