Those seeking to buy a home in Washington County are eligible for financial assistance through the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG).

Through the Community Development Block Grant program ECICOG is offering five homebuyer assistance program loans of up to $24,999 in Washington County. These funds would be awarded as a receding forgivable loan to go toward someone’s down payment, property inspection, or closing costs. Homes eligible for this loan include single family properties, condominiums, existing and newly constructed homes, and those outside a 100-year floodplain. Washington Economic Development Group Executive Director Mary Audia is excited to get the word out to county residents about this program, “Part of what I’m hearing now, and I’ve only been in the position now for a little over a month, is we have such a housing shortage. So folks are looking to hire people, specifically in the Washington County area, and if and when they find those folks they also need housing for them. So this would be a wonderful tool to help us to get more people into homes in the Washington County area, at least from the WEDG perspective.”

There is no set deadline for this program, but ECICOG Planner/Grant Specialist Paula Mitchell says they have already received a couple applications. You can find a link to information about the homebuyer assistance program by visiting here.