Iowa Code ch. 403A § 403A.7
Housing rentals and tenant admissions
Operative Text
1. A municipality shall do the following: a. Rent or lease the dwelling accommodations in a housing project only to persons or families of low income and at rentals within their financial reach. b. Rent or lease to a tenant such dwelling accommodations consisting of the number of rooms which it deems necessary to provide safe and sanitary accommodations to the proposed occupants without overcrowding. c. 1. Fix income limits for occupancy and rents after taking into consideration the following: a. The family size, composition, age, disabilities, and other factors which might affect the rent-paying ability of the person or family. b. The economic factors which affect the financial stability and solvency of the project. 2. However, such determination of eligibility shall be within the limits of the income limits hereinbefore set out. 2. Nothing contained in this section or section 403A.6 shall be construed as limiting the power of a municipality with respect to a housing project, to vest in an obligee the right, in the event of a default by the municipality, to take possession or cause the appointment of a receiver for the housing project, free from all the restrictions imposed by this section or section 403A.6.
Iowa Code § 403A.7 establishes rules governing how municipalities must manage rental housing in public housing projects. Under this provision, dwelling units may only be rented to low-income persons or families at rents they can reasonably afford, and unit sizes must be matched to the number of occupants to avoid overcrowding while maintaining safe and sanitary conditions. Municipalities are also required to set income eligibility limits and rental rates by weighing factors such as family size, age, disabilities, and the financial health of the housing project itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and administrators of municipal housing projects governed by Iowa Code § 403A.7 are generally expected to maintain documented eligibility screening processes that assess applicant income, family composition, age, and disability status when determining admissions and rent levels. Compliant operators typically ensure that unit assignments reflect the number of occupants needed to avoid overcrowding while meeting safe and sanitary housing standards. Rent schedules are ordinarily set in a way that balances tenant affordability with the financial solvency of the housing project.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code § 403A.7 provides that tenants in municipal public housing projects have a right to be housed in units appropriate to their household size and to pay rents set within their financial reach based on income and family circumstances. If a tenant believes their rent has been set without proper consideration of factors like family size, disabilities, or income, they may raise this as a concern with the administering municipality or housing authority. Tenants seeking to understand their eligibility rights or challenge a determination under § 403A.7 may also consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation