Federal money that helps homeless Iowans is tied up in court, as the Trump administration works to shift funds away from permanent housing programs and toward short-term housing and services, like shelters and treatment programs. Courtney Guntly (GUNT-lee) is director of the Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care, and oversees distribution of the money for 96 Iowa counties. She says that money has historically gone to permanent housing programs.
Guntly says the majority of permanent housing programs in Iowa rely on federal funding and will be at risk of shutting down if the new restrictions are allowed.
Federal officials tried to pass the tighter restrictions last year, but they were not allowed by an appeals court. Guntly says the uncertainty is making it difficult for programs to make long-term plans.
