HBI Community: Dallas County

Home Base Iowa communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their community. Please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director for more information.

The Home Base Iowa Act positions Iowa as a leader in respect, support and employment of veterans through a public-private partnership. The Iowa Legislature passed the Act in a broad bi-partisan manner and then Governor Terry E. Branstad signed it into law on Memorial Day, 2014. The Act contains the following incentives:

• Military Pensions exempt from state income tax
• $5,000 grant toward the purchase of a home
• Permissive veteran preference in employment
• Automatic in-state tuition at state universities and community colleges for qualified veterans and their dependents
• View the complete list state veteran benefits
• 100% disabled veterans can qualify to pay no property tax

Please contact the County Veterans Office or the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs for more information.

Home Base Iowa cities provide additional resources and discounts for veterans who relocate to these communities. The incentives stand alone or complement those offered by the county and state. All the cities listed have passed a city council resolution supporting the program, provide an incentive/welcome package, ensure 10 percent of eligible businesses are involved with Home Base Iowa and have the option to purchase Home Base Iowa signage.

Grimes

In Grimes, incentives include:

• Home Base Iowa benefits offered by the City of Grimes to their residents shall be in the form of vouchers granted one-time to each honorably discharged veteran applicant to help offset the cost of building permits, parks and rec programming and pet licenses. The value of the voucher shall be $250.

Home Base Iowa Community Established: July 2015

Urbandale

In Urbandale, incentives include:

• When a veteran leases a home or apartment in Urbandale, the City of Urbandale will issue a check for $250 to the veteran to spend on the transition to the community and potentially support health and wellness expenses.
• When a veteran purchases a home in Urbandale, the City of Urbandale will issue a check for $1,000 to the veteran to help offset the cost for City related services of owning a home-such as the cost of six months of water service, garbage bins, trash collection, in addition to supporting health and wellness expenses; if the veteran previously received $250 for leasing expenses, it would be deducted.
• Complimentary resume review services for veterans and spouses by City of Urbandale Human Resources Department.
• Discounted municipal pool passes and Parks and Recreation Department Programs for one year after veteran/veteran’s family establishes residence in Urbandale.

Home Base Iowa Community Established: May 2016

Waukee

In Waukee, incentives include:

• Building Permit Fee Waiver: A waiver up to $250 on building permit fees for new homes or remodels, including fences, pools and accessory structures.
• Utility Deposit Waiver: A $100 waiver on gas and water utility deposit upon move-in.
• Utility Credit: A $200 credit applied upon move-in to city utility account (includes water, sewer, gas and garbage).
• Parks and Recreation Credit: $100 credit upon move-in toward any Parks and Recreation program administered by the City of Waukee to be used by Veterans or their immediate family members. (Must register for programs in person)
• Sugar Creek Golf Course Credit: A free 10-hole punch card to golf at the Sugar Creek Municipal Golf Course.
• Free Portable Irrigation Meter: A free portable irrigation meter for homeowners to save sewer charges on water used for irrigation or other outside purposes

Home Base Iowa Community Established: September 2016

West Des Moines

In West Des Moines, incentives include:

• Veteran Welcome Package
• West Des Moines Parks & Recreation Bucks
• Discounts from local restaurants and shops
• Various military services

Home Base Iowa Community Established: September 2015

Adel

In Adel, incentives include:

• Annual $100 credit to City of Adel Parks & Recreation programming
• Free one-year membership to the American Legion Post 464
• Free one-year individual membership to the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce •
• Free community tour or welcome meetings with elected officials and community leaders •
• Free lunch at one Adel Rotary Club meeting •
• Waiver of fence, shed, or deck permit fees (applications still required)
• Annual waiver of pet registration fees (licensing still required)
• Annual $100 credit to Adel Parks & Recreation programming (registration still required)

Home Base Iowa Community Established: August 2019

Van Meter

Van Meter, Iowa, is a small but historically rich community located in Dallas County, just west of Des Moines along the Raccoon River. Laid out in 1869 and incorporated on December 29, 1877, its name honors Jacob Rhodes Van Meter and his family—Dutch settlers from Meteren, Netherlands—who helped establish the town. The area, originally part of larger surrounding townships, was formally organized as Van Meter Township in January 1869, reflecting its growth from early pioneer settlements. In addition to its agricultural roots and classic Midwestern small-town character, Van Meter is notable today as the site of the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, which opened in 2008 and serves as the state’s first federally funded, state-operated veterans cemetery—hosting Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies and providing burial options for eligible veterans and their families.

In Van meter, incentives include:

• $250 building permit credit voucher which can be applied towards future permits for items such as decks, garages, finishing basements, or building additions.
• $250 utility account credit

County Veteran Offices

These should be veterans’ first point of contact, and every county has a Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and a County Veterans Director. These offices assist veterans with compensation/pensions, medical care, military records, grave markers and veteran home loans. Some counties also have dedicated funds to assist with temporary shelter/utilities, food/health supplies, medical/dental, job placement, counseling and transportation. Visit the County Veterans Office page and click on the county of residence. 

IowaWORKS Centers

IowaWORKS Centers are committed to providing quality employment services to all military service members and their spouses. All veterans and their spouse may be eligible for priority service.  Please let a team member know upon check-in of your veteran status. IowaWORKS Centers provide a full range of job/career assistance. Individual services include:

• Career counseling and job search skills development
• Help locate employment and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities
• Academic skill testing and hands-on computer classes
• Creating resumes/cover letters and interview preparation

Iowa National Guard Services

The Warrior & Family Services Branch is a Joint Force initiative that provides assistance to all military families, regardless of branch or component, who find themselves beyond the support capability of active-duty military facilities or their home units. The Warrior & Family Services Branch acts as a network that allows families to mutually support one another. By providing families with information, resources and support, the program strengthens both the unit and service members. To learn more about these services, visit the Warrior & Family Services page to learn more.

Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)

The Iowa ESGR team is comprised of approximately 106 dedicated volunteers and three full-time staff members prepared to engage, inform and support employers and reserve component members throughout the state. Iowa has a proud history of outstanding employer support for reserve component members. Today’s team continues this tradition through a strong emphasis on “prevention through education.” To learn more visit the Iowa ESGR.

Non-Profit Statewide Veteran Support Organizations

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, war-time veteran organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is a community-service organization which has reached nearly three million members, men and women at almost 15,000 American Legion posts worldwide.  The American Legion Department of Iowa is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.  The Department Service Office is in the Federal Building in Des Moines, with an additional office located in the VA Medical Center in Iowa City. Visit the Iowa Legion or email: [email protected].

An Introduction to CHAMPs

Iowa's Certified Higher Academic Military Partners (CHAMPs) offer higher education incentives to qualified veterans, their spouses and dependents. Benefits include in-state tuition rates, on-campus support, credit for military courses and special financial considerations.