Iowa Legal Aid: Eviction Diversion Help Desk

Iowa Legal Aid Attorney.

Iowa Legal Aid: Eviction Diversion Help Desk

From Crisis to Solution: Iowa Legal Aid’s Impact on Eviction Rates 

Have you ever been so shocked by a statistic that it drove you to make a change? 

Erin Planalp, an attorney with Iowa Legal Aid, was immediately alarmed when she learned Pottawattamie County had the greatest increase in the number of evictions from 2015 to 2019 compared to the rest of the state.

“What made Pottawattamie County so different from the rest of Iowa?” Erin Planalp wondered. “Why the increase?” she thought. “What could Iowa Legal Aid do to help?”

Wh0 is Iowa Legal Aid? 

Iowa Legal Aid is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal assistance to vulnerable Iowans. This includes those facing eviction, to ensure they are able to protect their rights, even if they can’t afford an attorney. From helping garner child support to applying for disaster relief funds, the role of Legal Aid is vital for Iowans who otherwise can’t afford civil services but seek fairness and justice. With eviction notices on the rise in southwest Iowa, it was apparent to Planalp that something had to be done when it came to housing rights as well. 

Planalp worked for six months to interview agencies and community partners to compile all the available resources into an easy-to-navigate flow chart for her staff. They began to use it as a visual and practical aid to help those facing eviction.

From that, the Eviction Diversion Help Desk was born. 

Eviction Diversion Help Desk

The Eviction Diversion Help Desk is free legal assistance to help Iowans stay in their current housing and avoid immediate homelessness. The help desk is staffed by Iowa Legal Aid during all scheduled eviction hearings held at the county courthouse.

Eviction help desks were present in four other Iowa counties, Black Hawk, Linn, Polk, and Scott, before Pottawattamie secured the funding to open and operate a help desk with support from the Iowa West Foundation. The state now has six help desks across the state. 

How does the desk work? 

The goal of the desk is to keep people housed and avoid eviction or any disruption in housing. In essence, Iowa Legal Aid works to buy time in order to connect individuals with the available resources to stabilize the situation.  Iowa Legal Aid does not provide direct rental assistance but is more of an information hub. 

“It’s been a lot of relationship building with good outcomes for both the tenants and property owners,” said Erin Planalp, Iowa Legal Aid

While the benefits to tenants are obvious, there’s also a huge benefit to the Property Owners and Managers (POMS), who are essentially small business owners and aren’t looking to constantly replace evicted tenants. By engaging with POMs throughout the process, it cultivates the necessary relationships for emergency services that allow people to stayed housed and also for the POMs to be paid rent.  POMs can also call Iowa Legal Aid to help tenants find the resources they need.

What is the Outcome?

Eviction Diversion programs not only help the individual but the community at large. 

In 2022, Iowa Legal Aid worked on 222 eviction cases. That’s 443 people who received help with their eviction case.  A staggering 94% of these cases ended positively, keeping people housed. 

 

Eviction Diversion programs help prevent homelessness, which severely affects individuals’ physical and mental wellbeing both short-term and long term. When offered an alternative like this, people can avoid the trauma and disruption of homelessness. 

Evictions also have financial implications not only for the individuals, but also for the community. Individuals experiencing eviction and thus homelessness may require emergency shelter, temporary housing assistance, or other forms of public assistance provided by the government and/or community organizations. By diverting evictions and helping individuals remain in their homes, it decreases the need for emergency assistance and other costly interventions.

Grant Logistics 

Iowa West Foundation awarded $225,000 to Iowa Legal Aid for the Eviction Help Desk in 2022, which allowed 94% of their clients to remain in stable housing. Stable housing is essential for the overall wellbeing of individuals and communities. 

When people have secure and affordable housing, they are more likely to have better physical and mental health outcomes and gain financial stability. This grant promotes community cohesion and enhances the overall resilience of the community. 

Learn more about Iowa Legal Aid and the Eviction Help Desk here. 

Anawim Housing: A Housing First Approach

What is a Housing First approach? 

If a person is hungry, you don’t ask them to purchase pots and pans and then learn how to cook. You feed them first, and then begin to address the root causes that led to hunger. Similarly, “Housing First” is a strategy rooted in the belief that all people deserve housing before the root causes that led to housing instability can be addressed.

Iowa West Foundation grantee Anawim is now using this model in Council Bluffs. With the housing-first approach, there are no mandatory prerequisites. It meets people where they are in life and removes the barriers that often keep people experiencing homelessness out on the streets and not in permanent housing. The objective is to move a person experiencing homelessness or living in an emergency shelter into permanent housing as quickly as possible. 

“A huge amount of philanthropic support goes to address homelessness without addressing the root causes of homelessness,” said Brenda Mainwaring, president and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation in Council Bluffs. “If somebody doesn’t have shelter, they can’t even begin to think about all of the other ways to succeed.”

This model recognizes that they must have a safe place to live before they can begin to work on things like increasing their income or improving their mental health. In essence, a person’s basic needs must be met before addressing other needs. It is a recovery-oriented approach officially adopted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2009.  Anawim operates on this model of permanent housing with individualized support. 

“Outcomes are not going to improve when they are on the street. They are figuring out how to survive. Most cannot put that energy into things like finding mental health services, but once they have their basic needs met, they can begin to address what is next for them.”

– Brandi Luther, Local Anawim Program Manager

What is Anawim Housing?

In 2022, Anawim officially launched in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and began offering its programs. Anawim’s programs help assist those who might not qualify for the other programs and has more flexibility to address housing needs creatively.

Anawim Housing has been an established leader in affordable housing, development, and management in Iowa since 1987 and has taken a housing-first approach with many of its services.

Anawim offers two housing programs in Council Bluffs • Permanent Supportive Housing and Tenant Based Rental Assistance.

Tenant Based Rental Assistance

Through the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program, qualified applicants can get help to pay down deposits and rent as they work to grow their income. Typically, they take on the full rent amount within two years. A case manager offers support as needed to ensure people ultimately get any assistance needed to eventually live independently.  This program currently houses twelve tenants in eight rental units. 

Permanent Supportive Housing Program 

Anawim collaborates with community partners to support those experiencing homelessness who may have barriers to growing their income. Throughout a person’s time enrolled in the Permanent Supportive Housing Program, Anawim holds the master lease and offers continuous support. “Between the security deposit, the first month’s rent, and the utility deposits, it’s a lot, especially on a fixed income that doesn’t allow for much more than the basics. Being able to transition to being housed is difficult and truly out of reach for so many without assistance.” – Brandi Luther

Many people experience isolation when they move from congregate living to solo living. Anawim addresses each case and has been able to place compatible adults in a unit, which opens up more housing options and removes the fear of isolation for some. 

The Permanent Supportive Housing program houses thirteen adults and five children in ten rental units in Council Bluffs. 

How does Permanent Supportive Housing work? 

Anawim partners with agencies like New Visions and Micah House to identify and house individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. They work alongside other entities in the community to help navigate services and opportunities for those living in any of the permanent supportive housing units. 

They work with property owners and managing companies to secure housing locations within the community. Once a person is housed, a program manager will visit the individual at least once a month in their home to offer support and help navigate services. 

“It’s not a ‘see you later’ once the person is housed. We’re checking on people as frequently as needed, helping with transportation, doctor’s appointments, or grocery trips.” – Brandi Luther 

Property owners and managers have supported this non-traditional agreement, with Anawim holding the master lease as a bridge between the tenant and owner. The Anawim program manager regularly visits, supporting the tenant and helping to quickly address any issues that might arise. 

Crowl Property Management’s Amy Crowl Kinney and Kurt Kinney stated they have been happy to rent to Anawim’s Permanent Supportive Housing program. “Anawim goes above and beyond in covering damages that may occur in the unit, managing and collecting the tenant’s portion of the rent, providing follow-up meetings with tenants, and most importantly, teaching life skills that go beyond just paying rent.”

Services are voluntary and move at a comfortable pace for the individual. This approach values flexibility with individualized support. It’s rooted in autonomy and that everyone deserves housing. The impact of choice has been integral to the success of the programming. 

“Finding housing assistance in Council Bluffs is very important to many of our clients. They are part of our community and built their lives in this area.” – Brandi Luther 

What’s the outcome? 

A housing-first approach supports the individual.  It puts people at the forefront of the solution and keeps them off the streets and out of shelters with permanent housing. 

They can address needs on a comfortable timeline and with the support of a caseworker. The Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program allows people to reach financial stability and provides an opportunity to end generational poverty. 

“Seeing people establish new routines and change their lives has been incredible, everything from cooking regular meals to addressing healthcare needs that have been on hold for years.” – Brandi Luther 

Grant details 

Iowa West Foundation awarded Anawim a $360,000 grant in 2022 to help offer supportive housing in the community. 

Housing, lack of housing, and affordable housing were all concerns heard during the Imagine Hours community listening sessions. The Iowa West Foundation will continue to address housing to help increase financial stability and foster a sense of belonging for the residents in the community. 

For more information about Anawim programs or if you know a property manager or owner interested in participating, email Brandi Luther at bluther@anawimhousing.org.

Women of Color Leadership Program

WOC is a leadership program to enhance professional development through mentoring opportunities for women of color who live or work in Pottawattamie County. Building off a pilot program that launched in 2022, the initiative is designed to provide access to professional development and coaching opportunities to support leadership growth and a sense of belonging in the community for women of color.

What is the program? 

The program will be led by Dulce Sherman, owner of Sherman Executive Consulting. Each participant will work directly with Dulce through monthly coaching sessions to develop a personalized leadership growth plan. Along with quarterly networking meetups with other program participants and access to resources and supports to help achieve leadership growth 

“Vibrant communities require leaders who bring innovation and diverse approaches to problem-solving,” said Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. “To be successful as a community, we all need to be engaged in creating a place where people love to live. Iowa West Foundation strives to empower organizations and individuals to achieve their big community dreams. We do this not only through grants but also by building confidence and capacity in individual leaders, especially among those who are underrepresented. The Women of Color Leadership Program is an important addition to Iowa West’s support for next-generation leaders and new nonprofit CEOs. I extend my appreciation and thanks to the eleven exceptional women who have agreed to contribute their time and energy to this program and to the future of our community.”

About Dulce Sherman 

Dulce Sherman

This year’s program will be led by Dulce Sherman, owner of Sherman Executive Consulting. Dulce Sherman is a first-generation Latina whose immigrant parents taught her the importance of helping communities. Dulce is passionate about giving back, leadership development, and the community and is a true champion for women of color. She’s strategic, focused and brings years of extensive leadership experience. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, a master’s degree in Management and Organizational Development, and a graduate-level certificate from the Fielding Graduate Institute. Sherman holds 35 years of HR and leadership experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She is a graduate of the Lead Diversity program, the Nonprofit Executive Institute, and the Dougherty Foundation’s Team LEAD program.

She brings years of extensive leadership experience to the table and include the following opportunities at no cost to the participants:

Participants  

Mia Silva Laustrup, director of the STARS scholarship program administered by the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, said being a part of the previous cohort was a great experience.

“What I look forward to most this year with the program is continuing to build relationships, build my network and identify my strengths. Women of color need to be heard and seen to have opportunities in higher-level positions. Today we are seeing the removal of barriers that exclude underrepresented populations from having a seat at the table and I am thankful that Iowa West Foundation is responsive to that need in our community.”

Additional participants selected for the 2023 cohort include:

The goal of the program is to foster opportunities, participation, and impact women in leadership and change-making positions in Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County.

“It’s a dream to be able to journey alongside such a strong group of women,” Sherman said. “Together we will discover their innate talents, move into action, and understand how their influence can impact community outcomes.”

Veteran and Wife Rebuild Their Future with Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Repair Program

Veteran and Wife Rebuild Their Future with Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Repair Program

 

Habitat Humanity of Council Bluffs • Homeowners Repair Program

 

 

“I’ve always been hardworking and never wanted to take handouts or take advantage of programs. I was leery of possibly having to use Habitat at the time, but I’m proud of what they’ve done. I’m proud to have had their help.”   – Bob Kyle. 

Bob and Glenda Kyle were recipients of $10,000 of funding through The Homeowner Repairs Program through Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs.  

The Homeowner Repairs Program provided the Kyle family the opportunity to stay in their home and gave Glenda Kyle back her sense of independence.  Because of the program, Glenda is able to leave her home, she can go outside, breathe fresh air, and feel the sun, something most people take for granted. 

“I tell people Habitat is not a handout. It’s a hand up.” Bob Kyle said. 

Kyles’ Story

The Kyles have been married for 36 years and purchased their first home together in 2021. They had rented for years and were finally able to secure a loan through the VA. Bob is a retired vet. He even enlisted twice in the army before being medically discharged.  With the purchase of their home came responsibilities but also freedom. Freedom to make changes without checking with a landlord. Unfortunately, this freedom didn’t last long for Glenda.  Shortly after their move, Glenda was homebound. She was bound to the main floor of her home, unable to leave because of the number of stairs to enter and leave the house. In 2022 Glenda only left her house four times by ambulance and with the assistance of the fire department and EMTs. 

Glenda is a people person. Over the years, she’s worked in a few different industries ranging from an elementary school teacher and radio DJ to the secretary at the Farm Association in Georgia. This federal initiative helped farmers and those of a lower socioeconomic status purchase homes. However, her favorite job was picking up senior citizens and helping them with the basics. Glenda laughed as she said, “I thought they were so old back then, 80 or 90 years old. For years, I drove them to the pharmacy to pick up meds, the grocery store, just everyday errands.”  

For some of these seniors, she was their lifeline and support system. Without Glenda and the agency she worked for, some of these seniors were unable to leave their homes. Without services like this, many seniors would have been forced into a managed care facility and could face leaving their communities, losing their sense of independence, well-being, and belonging.

What did the funding do for the Kyles? 

The Kyles were awarded the maximum amount of $10,000 to install a chair lift to allow Glenda the ability to enter and exit her home. The grant also allowed for relocating the back door, giving Glenda access to the backyard, where she loves to watch her dogs play.  These updates have given her back some freedom. She said the ability to leave her home without help has improved her mental health tremendously. 

Haimi Dagnew is the Program Associate at Habitat and worked with the Kyles throughout the project. She managed the scope of work and worked tirelessly to find a solution. She coordinated bids from contractors and agencies, some of which declined the project entirely because of the scope of work and $10,000 budget. It was through her relentless spirit and her can-do attitude that she found a way to make this project work. 

Matt Frieze, owner, and General Contractor of  Heartland Handyman Services, was determined to find a solution for the Kyles.  Matt and Haimi worked through ideas and concepts with help from Glenda and Bob. It was a sense of relief. They could focus on their health. 

“Haimi was boots on the ground, she didn’t give up.” Kim Smith – Habitat for Humanity.  

Together, they ultimately relocated the backdoor, added wheelchair access to the backyard, and found a wheelchair company willing to work with the project’s specs. Haimi was diligent in keeping Glenda and Bob close to the project and the changes that would be made to their home. Through these repairs, Glenda has gained a sense of independence. It has allowed her to leave her house and access her backyard. 

What is the Habitat for Humanity Homeowners Repair Program?

The Homeowners Repair program allows homeowners access to up to $10,000 in funds to make critical repairs to their homes, repairs that alleviate health and safety issues, to increase the quality of life, and ultimately, to keep homeowners in their residences. With the current housing marketing and lack of inventory, it’s unrealistic for homeowners to purchase a new home or make costly updates on fixed incomes. 

The program launched in 2021 because of the changing landscape around housing. “We (Habitat) recognized that homeowners didn’t have an option. We want to keep people who have a home, in their home because they can’t afford a house in this housing market.” Kim – Habitat for Humanity. 

Anyone can apply for the program, but the focus has been on those aging in place and those needing critical repairs. 

What’s the outcome? 

Keeping people in their homes and allowing aging in place fosters a sense of independence and empowerment.  It allows seniors to stay engaged in their neighborhoods and communities, the place they call home. Typically, staying in one’s home is exponentially more affordable. They don’t have the option for other home-managed care settings. 

“We know there are many retirees who live on fixed incomes. However, as their homes age, the costs of maintaining them can increase too. Without an increase in their income, they are often faced with difficult tradeoffs that can lead to deferred maintenance. Over enough time, it can threaten their ability to stay in their home. The Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs’ repair program can help keep homeowners in their homes and ensure they have safe places to live. It accomplishes two goals; it maintains higher levels of homeownership, and it keeps our community’s housing stock in good condition.” – Matt Henkes, Vice President of the Iowa West Foundation 

Habitat for Humanity was awarded $60,000 for the Homeowners Repair Program in 2023, allowing for six repairs at the maximum repair amount of $10,000. The program currently has an operating budget of $180,000, with plans to grow the program and have a bigger impact in the community. In 2022, Habitat made repairs to 18 homes. That’s 18 stories with similar needs to Bob and Glenda.  Growing the program will allow more homeowners to access funds. Critical updates could mean the difference between homelessness or the delay in entering a managed care facility. 

This program will allow more homeowners an opportunity to make necessary repairs and updates. And for some of these projects, they can be life-changing.  For Glenda and Bob, their lives were changed.