The City of Cedar Rapids is now accepting applications for its ROOTs homeownership program, an initiative designed to provide affordable single-family housing and down payment assistance to low- and moderate-income residents.
The program, which stands for Rebuilding Ownership Opportunities Together, offers eligible buyers up to $35,000 in down payment assistance. Participating homes are capped at a maximum sales price of $175,000.
“The ROOTs program represents the City’s continued commitment to addressing affordable housing needs,” said City Manager Jeff Pomeranz. “The program has been transformative, and we are already seeing an impact as families move into high-quality homes.”
Properties approved for the program are newly built single-family units located throughout the city. Developers were selected through a competitive review process that scored proposals on affordability, architectural design, green building principles and experience. All units incorporate green building practices.
To qualify, households must earn 80% or less of the area median income. For a family of four, the current income limit is $81,300. Applicants must also demonstrate the ability to secure a private mortgage. The program includes a 15-year affordability period, enforced by a forgivable lien on the property.
“Affordable housing remains a key focus area for our City Council and in our City planning efforts,” Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said. “We encourage all eligible individuals to take advantage of this opportunity to secure stable housing for themselves and their families.”
Funding for ROOTS is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program via the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Construction on the homes began in 2024 and is slated to continue through this year.
Prospective applicants can find eligibility criteria and application forms at CityofCR.com/Roots. An FAQ about the program is also available on the website.
