Urbandale to fund local owner‑occupied repair program to reduce a 18‑household wait list

The Urbandale City Council approved an owner‑occupied repair agreement July 7 intended to reduce a backlog of 18 applicants in the Metro Home Improvement wait list.

John Conyers, director of risk management support services, said the Metro Home Improvement program typically serves three Urbandale homes per two‑year cycle through the Mid‑Iowa Planning Alliance (MIPA). "The Urbandale owner occupied repair, which is in front of you tonight, is expressly designed to take care of that 18 household wait list that is currently there," Conyers said. Under the local agreement, city funding would cap repairs at $15,000 per household (slightly under the $16,820 maximum available under Metro Home). The city budget includes funding to complete four homes this coming fiscal cycle, with a 10% MIPA administrative fee.

How it works: Eligible properties must be owner‑occupied, under the stated assessed‑value cap used by Metro Home, and located in the Polk County side where the program applies. MIPA would administer the program and maintain contractor lists; homeowners would be allowed to select contractors from that approved list rather than requiring Home Inc. to perform all work. Conyers said the lien structure mirrors Metro Home Improvement: work is secured by a five‑year lien with 20% reduction each year until forgiveness.

Program impact and next steps: Staff explained the city’s funding will buy down the wait list while Metro Home continues its usual three‑homes‑per‑two‑year allocation. If approved, Urbandale’s allocation of four homes would reduce the backlog; staff estimated the wait list could shrink from 18 to roughly 11–15 depending on applicants who find other remedies. Council approved the agreement and directed staff to implement the program and continue coordination with MIPA and neighborhood partners.