Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)

    Rent and Security Deposit Assistance for qualified households

    Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program provides Rental Assistance and/or Deposit Assistance for Low Income Households who want to rent from a  landlord (who is not a relative). Under the TBRA Program, participants are responsible for locating the rental unit they want to rent within the city limits of:

    • Cedar Rapids
    • Marion
    • Hiawatha
    • Clinton
    • Dubuque

    Participants choose the type of housing they wish to rent (i.e. house, duplex, apartment). The participant’s portion of the rent is a minimum of 30% of their adjusted monthly income. TBRA pays the remainder of the contract rent to the private property landlord. 

    Am I eligible for this TBRA Program?

    The Applicant must be verified as disabled, homeless or at risk of homelessness and successful completion of substance use treatment within the last 12 months. Applicants must not be on the sex offender registry to qualify for assistance and can not be receiving other HUD rental assistance (TBRA funds may, however, be used for security deposit assistance in conjunction with Section 8 rental assistance). The landlords are required to complete their own background checks based on their normal screening criteria. For more information on the program rules please review the TBRA Admin Plan. The full admin plan is available upon request. This program has a waiting list. Register to be placed on the waiting list.

    DOWNLOAD TBRA WAIT LIST REGISTRATION

    Important Information about the TBRA Program

    In order to qualify participants must meet admission guidelines for TBRA

    • TBRA participants must remain in rented unit for the initial one-year lease term (shorter lease terms are not permitted through  TBRA)
    • There is no provision to port-out of our jurisdiction under TBRA
    • If the participant becomes eligible for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) during their initial one-year lease term under TBRA, the participant may either continue to lease their unit or may relocate to a different unit;
    • Gross Rents shall not exceed the jurisdiction’s applicable rent standards and shall be reasonable, based on rent charged for comparable, unassisted rental units.
    • The Assisted Unit must meet local housing codes and standards and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE). At least one NSPIRE inspection must be conducted each year. Lead-Based paint regulations apply to each unit.
    • Private landlords participating in the TBRA Program will have a written contract with AHNI. This contract is necessary to provide TBRA payments to the landlord on behalf of an eligible family. The contract contains program requirements for participation.
    • Participants with Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) may use TBRA funds for security deposit assistance.

    Want to learn more?

    Want to know if you qualify, and what are the best options for you and/or your family?
    Call or contact us to get started on finding your newest home.

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