Housing

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 5, 2025

HF 740: A bill for an act relating to rent increases under residential landlord and tenant rental agreements and in manufactured home communities and mobile home parks.

HF 740 limits rent increases for current tenants in Iowa residential rentals and mobile home parks. Landlords cannot raise rents more than three times the Midwest consumer price index (CPI) increase over the past year or the assessed property value increase (whichever is higher), whichever is greater. Mobile home park tenants must receive written notice of any rent increase at least 90 days before it takes effect. The bill directly affects existing renters in these housing types by capping annual rent hikes based on economic or property value metrics.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits rent increases for tenants, requiring 90-day notice and capping hikes at CPI/property value, strengthening tenant protections and affordability in rental housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 5, 2025

HSB 286: A bill for an act relating to homelessness including unauthorized use of public land, sanctioned camping, drug-free homeless service zones, and funding for homeless services, and providing penalties.

This bill establishes rules for cities and counties to create designated "sanctioned camping" zones for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. It requires these zones to provide assigned spaces, safety measures, sanitation (including water and showers), and access to health services, while banning alcohol and drugs. Local governments must follow specific standards when creating these zones, and residents or businesses can seek legal action if requirements aren't met. The bill also prohibits local policies that block enforcement of rules against unauthorized public sleeping/camping, requiring first-time violations to be addressed with a warning and service offer before potential misdemeanor penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates sanctioned camping zones with services to reduce criminalization of homelessness, aligning with reform goals by avoiding punitive measures for unsheltered living.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health services access in sanctioned homeless zones, directly improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes sanctioned camping zones with sanitation, health services, and safety measures to address homelessness, directly advancing housing solutions for vulnerable populations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 21, 2026

HSB 141: A bill for an act relating to rental agreements and early termination rights of tenants who are victims of certain crimes.

HB 141 allows tenants who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, elder abuse, or other qualifying crimes to terminate rental agreements early without penalty. Tenants must provide written notice to landlords along with specific documentation, such as a protective order, police report, or medical documentation from a licensed provider verifying the victimization. The bill protects tenants from being charged fees, losing security deposits, or receiving negative credit references for using this right, and prohibits landlords from refusing to rent based on prior use of this provision. Tenants remain responsible for rent through the termination date (14-30 days after notice) but are released from liability for future rent or damages.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly protects crime victims' rights by enabling early lease termination without penalties, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim safety and civil rights protection.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects tenant rights by allowing crime victims to terminate leases without fees/deposit loss, strengthening housing security for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SF 436: A bill for an act removing the maximum annual amount of real estate transfer tax receipts that may be transferred into the housing trust fund.

SF 436 removes a $7 million annual cap on real estate transfer tax receipts that can be directed to Iowa's Housing Trust Fund (HTF). Currently, only $7 million of the 30% of these taxes designated for the HTF can be transferred yearly, with excess funds going to the general fund. The bill changes this by allowing all 30% of the receipts (without the $7 million limit) to flow directly into the HTF each year. This directly affects the HTF's funding, which supports affordable housing development and preservation for low-income Iowans and the Iowa Mortgage Help Initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves $7M annual cap on real estate transfer tax funds for Housing Trust Fund, directing all 30% receipts to HTF, increasing funding for affordable housing development.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves $7M annual cap on real estate transfer taxes for Housing Trust Fund, increasing direct funding for affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 12, 2025

HSB 271: A bill for an act establishing a partial exemption on property taxes for certain residential properties sold in disaster areas.

This bill creates a temporary partial property tax exemption for residential properties sold by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to eligible homeowners in areas affected by declared disasters. It directly affects HUD-sold homes purchased by residents receiving Iowa's homestead tax credit, located in areas where the president or governor declared a major disaster or emergency. The exemption provides a phased reduction in property taxes over four years: 80% in the first year, 60% in the second, 40% in the third, and 20% in the fourth, after which the full tax applies. This policy change applies only to properties sold specifically to provide housing following a disaster.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides temporary property tax exemption for disaster-area homeowners with homestead credit, reducing tax burden for eligible residents. Directly advances tax relief policy.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides temporary property tax exemption for HUD-sold homes in disaster areas, reducing homeownership costs for eligible residents. This directly advances affordable housing by lowering financial barriers for affected homeowners.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 12, 2025

HF 171: A bill for an act removing the maximum annual amount of real estate transfer tax receipts that may be transferred into the housing trust fund.

HF 171 removes a $7 million annual cap on real estate transfer tax funds allocated to Iowa's Housing Trust Fund (HTF). Currently, 30% of these tax receipts must be sent to the HTF, but any amount exceeding $7 million annually is redirected to the general fund. This bill eliminates that $7 million limit, allowing all 30% of eligible tax receipts to flow directly into the HTF each year. The HTF supports affordable housing development and preservation for low-income Iowans and the Iowa Mortgage Help Initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves $7M cap on real estate tax transfers to Housing Trust Fund, directing all 30% eligible receipts to affordable housing programs, advancing essential public funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves $7M cap on real estate tax funds flowing to Housing Trust Fund, increasing direct funding for affordable housing development/preservation per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 18, 2025

HSB 307: A bill for an act relating to the assessment of certain development property, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

This Iowa bill (HSB 307) changes property tax rules for development lots. It ensures properties acquired for development after January 1, 2020, maintain their prior tax classification until they are improved with permanent construction, sold, or five years pass since the subdivision plat was recorded - whichever happens first. The bill defines "development" broadly to include zoning changes, clearing land, installing utilities, or construction preparation. It applies retroactively to tax assessments starting January 1, 2025, but does not require refunds for taxes paid before that date. This primarily affects developers, property assessors, and local governments managing development properties.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesMaintains lower tax classifications for development properties, providing a tax break that reduces potential revenue, weakening tax system.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMaintains lower property taxes during development phase, incentivizing housing construction without explicit affordability measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes Zoning

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 21, 2025

HSB 234: A bill for an act relating to property law, including manufactured or mobile home retailer licenses, rent, rental agreements, notice requirements, and possession of property.

This bill (HSB 234) updates Iowa's property law by increasing the annual license fee for manufactured/mobile home retailers from $100 to $120 (Section 1). It defines "rent" to include all payments tenants make to landlords, such as base rent, utilities, and late fees (Section 2). The bill strengthens tenant protections by making prohibited terms in rental agreements unenforceable and allowing tenants to recover damages if landlords knowingly enforce them (Sections 4, 7). It also clarifies notice requirements for landlords, specifying that mailed notices are deemed delivered four days after mailing (Sections 3, 6), and restricts landlord access to mobile homes except in emergencies or after court orders (Section 8). These changes directly affect mobile home retailers, landlords, and tenants in rental agreements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens tenant protections by making prohibited lease terms unenforceable and allowing tenant damages recovery (Sections 4,7), directly advancing tenant rights in housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SF 505: A bill for an act codifying a firsthome program administered by the Iowa finance authority.

SF 505 codifies Iowa's existing Firsthome program under the Iowa Finance Authority, providing financial assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers. The program offers down payment/closing cost grants (capped at $10,000), second loans (repayable upon home sale or refinance), and free title certificates. To qualify, applicants must be first-time homebuyers (including military members with specific service requirements), meet income/price limits, maintain a 640+ credit score, have ≤45% debt-to-income ratio, and occupy the home as a primary residence within 60 days.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCodifies Firsthome program providing down payment grants ($10k cap) and loans to first-time homebuyers, directly increasing affordable housing access through financial assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SF 414: A bill for an act relating to the review and approval by the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing of housing and health care facility acquisitions by private equity firms.

SF 414 requires Iowa's Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) to review and approve acquisitions of housing or health care facilities by private equity firms. Private equity firms must notify DIAL 60 days before an acquisition and provide detailed information, including financial records and plans affecting facility operations. DIAL cannot approve an acquisition if it would reduce access to quality, affordable housing or health care services, and must post all pending acquisitions online for public comment. This bill directly affects private equity firms purchasing housing or health care facilities in Iowa, creating a new review process to protect public access to these essential services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents private equity acquisitions reducing healthcare access by requiring DIAL review and blocking deals that harm quality/affordability of health care facilities.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents private equity acquisitions that would reduce affordable housing access by requiring DIAL approval and blocking approvals that harm quality/affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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