Need clothing or rent help? Use this guide to find assistance

Iowans struggling to make ends meet can turn to programs offering rent and clothing assistance across the state. From local nonprofits to statewide programs, these services are designed to help individuals and families meet basic needs when they need it most. This guide provides an overview of available support, highlighting organizations and programs offering rental assistance and free or low-cost clothing options.

If you know of other programs or organizations offering rent and clothing assistance across the state, email the information to info@blackiowanews.com so we can update this guide.

Des Moines

Rental Assistance 

• Cross Ministries Presbyterian Church
• Polk County Community, Family, and Youth Services 
• Iowa Finance Authority 
• Salvation Army
• Impact Community Action Network 

Clothing 

• Central Iowa Shelter & Services, Clothing Closet 
• Hope Ministries
• Clothes Closet, Capitol Hill Lutheran Church 
• Clothes Closet, Clive Community Services 
• Clothes closet, Zion Lutheran Church 
• Men on The Move Career Closet 
• Johnston Clothes Closet 
• Mary’s Helping Hands (Maternity Clothing and Supplies) 

Waterloo

Rental assistance 

• Operation Threshold
• Salvation Army Waterloo-Cedar Falls
• Cedar AIDS support system
• Jesse Cosby Community Center

Clothing

• Eye of the needle 
• Love Inc. of Cedar Valley

Dubuque

Rental assistance 

• Salvation Army
• Catholic Charities
• St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Dubuque County Veteran Affairs
• Friends of the Family
• Rent Assistance- Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa-Dubuque

Clothing

• United Way of Dubuque 
• The Open Closet, Almost Home

Fort Dodge

Rent Assistance 

• Fort Dodge Community Foundation
• Salvation Army Fort Dodge

Cedar Rapids

Rental assistance 

• Salvation Army 
• ERAP rent assistance
• The Freedom Foundation
• Hawkeye Area Community Action Program

Clothing 

• Families Helping Families of Iowa

Davenport

Rental assistance 

• Salvation Army 
• Scott County General Assistance 

Clothing

• All Saints Lutheran Church
• Underwear Because We Care
• Minnie’s Maison
• St. Matthew’s Clothing Closet

Ottumwa

Rental assistance 

• Salvation Army
• Sieda Community Action

Sioux City

Rental assistance 

• Salvation Army 
• Community Action Agency of Siouxland
• Sioux City Housing Authority

Clothing assistance

• Siouxland Foster Closet 

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