The Basic Needs Program uses funds provided by generous private donors, the Consultation of Religious Communities, the St. Anthony’s Bread fund, and other philanthropic organizations to help Johnson County individuals and families with basic needs such as:
Rent and Utility Assistance
Security Deposit Assistance
Birth Certificates and Identification
New Employment Work Items
Clothing Vouchers
Bus Tickets
Prescription Medication Assistance
Temporary Mailing Address
Quantities are limited. For more information, please call (319) 351-0128 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit 1121 S. Gilbert Ct. during regular operating hours.
Rent and Utility Assistance Information
Starting September 7, 2021, people will be able to call in any time during business hours and schedule an appointment. The basic needs staff will determine when to set their appointment based on when their bill is due. The Basic Needs Program can help with money towards past due rent, water or energy bills.
Eligibility:
Must live in Johnson County, Iowa and need help paying a housing, water, or energy bill. You can receive financial assistance for housing and utilities up to two (2) times per year. Once you have received assistance, you must wait sixty (60) days to apply again. Unfortunately, the Basic Needs Program cannot help with late fees, phone bills, cable bills, insurance bills, taxes, vehicle repairs, or medical bills.
Sign Up:
Please call 319-351-0128 Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm. If you do not have a phone, please visit our office at 1121 South Gilbert Court.
Applicants must participate in a scheduled in-person interview to provide basic information about your household and sign a release form. For housing assistance, bring the statements you need help paying and your current lease or lender agreement. For utility assistance, bring the statement. If you have contacted other human service agencies for assistance for the same bill, please bring paperwork to show this.
Looking for information about the City of Iowa City CDBG Emergency Housing Assistance program? Click here to view the flyer.
New Employment Work Items
The Basic Needs Program can help if you have an offer of employment contingent on providing your own boots, non-slip shoes, specific uniform items, etc., and are unable to purchase the items yourself. Visit our Basic Needs department at 1121 S. Gilbert Ct., Iowa City during regular business hours and bring a dated letter from your employer stating that the items are required to begin working. This program is funded by the Iowa City Masonic Lodge No. 4.
Prescription Medication Assistance
First, apply for the Free Medical Clinic pharmacy program. If the Free Medical Clinic cannot help you, the Basic Needs Program can assist once in a 12-month period with up to $100. Bring a rejection note from the Free Medical Clinic along with your prescription and its cost at your pharmacy to Basic Needs at 1121 S. Gilbert Ct., Iowa City during regular operating hours.
Cultivating Careers Referral
Agencies outside of CommUnity are able to refer clients to our Cultivating Careers program by filling out the Cultivating Careers Referral Form and returning it to sara.barth@builtbycommunity.org. Cultivating Careers provides job tools, laptops, and other work enabling items to clients.
