Derelict Building Program
Derelict Building Program supports Iowa cities in renovating and deconstructing vacant commercial and public buildings to remove hazards and divert materials from landfills through reuse and recycling.
This grant was recently updated
Plan to submit your FY27 application by February 26, 2027; the page no longer lists the special $1 million asbestos round, and towns with exactly 5,000 residents are now explicitly eligible. Prepare three bids per funded task (or explain why you cannot), the applicable acquisition and support letters, and notify your local Iowa Waste Exchange representative. Deconstruction projects must now divert at least 30% of structural waste, and reimbursement claims cannot be processed before July 1 of the application year; award limits remain unchanged.
Funder: Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: February 26, 2027 (FY27 application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Reimbursement varies by activity, including up to $50,000 for renovation or deconstruction and $75,000 with deconstruction incentives
Summary: Supports Iowa cities addressing vacant commercial and public buildings through hazard removal, renovation, deconstruction, and material reuse.
Key Information: Only city governments in Iowa towns of 5,000 or fewer residents may apply.
Description
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Derelict Building Program helps small communities address neglected commercial and public buildings that have been vacant for at least six months. Funded through the Solid Waste Alternatives Program, it emphasizes diverting building materials from landfills through recycling and reuse while eliminating hazards inside and outside empty structures.
The FY27 round supports asbestos inspections and abatement, structural engineering analysis, Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, building deconstruction, and renovation expenses. Projects can improve community appearance and address environmental, health, and safety concerns. Reuse and recycling markets are central to the program, with assistance available from Iowa Waste Exchange representatives and local Solid Waste Planning Agencies.
