Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority

Grimes, Iowa

Last Updated

21 hours ago

About Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority

The Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority (CIRHA), PHA Code IA131, is located in Grimes, Polk County, Iowa. CIRHA oversees approximately 1,169 assisted housing units across its service area.

Currently, CIRHA's waitlists are open for its Owned Housing, Owned Housing Program, and Public Housing programs. CIRHA manages 132 Public Housing units and 1,037 Housing Choice Vouchers; however, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waitlist is presently closed.

For a family of four seeking Very Low Income assistance, the annual income limit is $57,250 for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area. Applicants should confirm current program availability and specific eligibility requirements directly with the Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority.

Owned Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Units are located in Boone, Dallas, Jasper, and Marion counties, with some units having little to no wait. Eligibility requires meeting income limits and having a reasonably good rental and/or credit history. A $200 security deposit is required.

Owned Housing Program Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

CIRHA offers duplexes, rowhomes, and townhouses, with some 1-bedroom units designated for the elderly or disabled. Eligibility includes income requirements, criminal background checks for those 18+, and reasonable rental/credit history.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Feb 8, 2019

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

No preferences are stated; applicants are placed on the waiting list by application date and time, and units are located in specific cities within Boone, Dallas, Jasper, and Marion counties.

Other Programs

1 program

These programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

At this time, CIRHA is not able to issue any new vouchers due to shortage of funding. If the family is not determined eligible for the program, they will be sent a letter informing them that they have been dropped from the waiting list.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Official Portal

Status History

Public Housing Opened Feb 19, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 1201 SE Gateway Dr
City Grimes, IA 50111
PHA Code IA131
Section 8 Units 1,037
Public Housing Units 132

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.

How to Apply at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (Owned Housing, Owned Housing Program, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $57,250/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority manages approximately 1,169 assisted housing units (1,037 Section 8, 132 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Grimes. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority

Owned Housing open

The Owned Housing program at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Grimes. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Owned Housing Program open

The Owned Housing Program program at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Grimes. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority manages approximately 132 Public Housing units in Grimes. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Grimes. This program serves approximately 1,037 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority administers 4 programs (Owned Housing, Owned Housing Program, Public Housing, HCV) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 1201 SE Gateway Dr, Grimes, IA.
How long is the wait at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority?
Wait times at Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority depend on demand in Grimes, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 1,169 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 19, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "open" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority, including Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency (8 mi), Warren County Housing Authority (25 mi), Low Rent Housing Agency Of Winterset (27 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Iowa and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Iowa.
How do I contact Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority?
You can reach Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority by phone at (515) 986-1882. Their office is located at 1201 SE Gateway Dr, Grimes, IA 50111. You can also email them at kwignall@cirhahome.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority?
Income limits for Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $114,500). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $57,250. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $57,250. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.

Household Size Extremely Low
30% AMI
Very Low
50% AMI
Low Income
80% AMI
1 Person $24,050 $40,100 $64,150
2 Persons $27,500 $45,800 $73,300
3 Persons $30,950 $51,550 $82,450
4 Persons $34,350 $57,250 $91,600
5 Persons $37,650 $61,850 $98,950
6 Persons $43,150 $66,450 $106,300
7 Persons $48,650 $71,000 $113,600
8 Persons $54,150 $75,600 $120,950
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $114,500 Effective April 1, 2025
What do these income limits mean?

Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.

Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.

Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.