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:
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
