Department Of Human Rights Iowa

The Department of Human Rights Iowa, operating through its Division of Community Action Agencies, is a state government entity that administers federal grant funding to support low-income populations across Iowa's 99 counties. As the state-level administrative body, the department serves as the designated prime awardee for multiple federal grant programs focused on poverty reduction, energy assistance, and community services. The organization operates a network of 16 local community action agencies that deliver direct services to vulnerable populations throughout the state, ensuring that federal resources reach those most in need of assistance.

The Department of Human Rights Iowa has received substantial federal grant funding through several primary programs administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and the Department of Energy. Most significantly, the entity currently holds three active grants totaling approximately $55.7 million for the 2026 fiscal year: the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) formula grant of $52,044,397, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) of $2,823,274, and the LIHEAP Infrastructure Supplement (LIEI) of $846,350, all running through September 30, 2027. These grants fund comprehensive services including utility payment assistance, energy crisis intervention, home weatherization, heating system repairs, employment training, early childhood education, nutrition assistance, and homeless prevention programs. Additionally, the department administers the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) through the Department of Energy, having received $44,904,534 to weatherize approximately 2,662 low-income housing units through partnerships with approximately 20 subrecipients, with anticipated energy savings of over $300 annually per household. The department consistently receives annual LIHEAP, CSBG, and LIEI funding through formula grants, demonstrating sustained federal commitment to Iowa's low-income assistance infrastructure. All services are sub-awarded and delivered through the network of 16 community action agencies operating as subrecipients, including organizations such as North Iowa Community Action, Community Action of Southeast Iowa, and Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, ensuring localized administration and community-focused service delivery across the state's rural and urban areas.