(Atlantic) The Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund (SWIHTF), a nonprofit administered by the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), was recently awarded a $125,000 grant from the Iowa West Foundation for housing repairs in 2024.
SWIPCO has leveraged these grant funds with other grant monies to complete wide-ranging housing repairs across the region. For example, projects completed in the past year have included a bathroom remodel and plumbing fix, a new air conditioning unit and installation, and a foundation repair. Sixteen projects were completed in 2023 with Iowa West funds, and SWIPCO has completed or is finishing 44 home repair projects from 2023 funding.
These repairs are completed for income-qualified recipients and can address long-term and urgent needs. SWIPCO has been proud to partner with the Iowa West Foundation on these repairs and is glad to be doing so again.
SWIPCO Community Development Director Erin Hudson described the importance of this funding, saying, “Iowa West Foundation grants make immediate differences. They are owner-centered, so SWIPCO places homeowner’s needs first and foremost. We work with the homeowner and contractors to ensure everything works out to everyone’s satisfaction. Iowa West Foundation monies assist SWIPCO in helping with home repairs that we may not otherwise be able to accomplish.”
The mission of the Iowa West Foundation is to improve lives and strengthen communities for current and future generations. Partnerships with local casinos Ameristar and Horseshoe allow the Foundation to award outcome-focused grants continuously in southwest Iowa communities. Fees from gaming and income from Foundation investments fund programs and projects that benefit the residents of 14 counties in southwest Iowa. SWIPCO is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.