Healthy Housing
Affordable Rental Housing
Housing is essential for a healthy neighborhood. It is a big part of our mission here at Matthew 25. We work to grow strong neighborhoods by providing safe, quality rental housing at affordable rates.
Matthew 25 owns and manages 20 rental homes on the west side of Cedar Rapids. These range from studios to 4 bedrooms, from duplexes to single-family homes. All of our homes are refurbished before we make them available, some going as far as a complete renovation.
Rental Process
Our homes don’t stay available for long, so if you are interested in renting with us, please follow these steps:
- Step 1: Fill the form
Join our waitlist by completing and returning our rental application, which can be downloaded here or picked up at the Matthew 25 Office at 201 Third Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids. Once your application is fully completed and returned to Matthew 25, you will be placed on our waitlist. - Step 2: Matthew 25 Will Contact You
Matthew 25 staff will contact you to confirm the status of your application once it is received, and applicants on the waitlist will be contacted about available homes in order based on the date of the fully submitted application. - Step 3: Visit The Property
Once a rental property is available that fits your needs, we will schedule a time for you to see the property. If you’re interested in the property, we will then process your $40 application fee and run a credit and background check. Credit and background checks are completed within 24-48 hours. Once these are complete, Matthew 25 staff will contact you to review the credit and background check.
Matthew 25 is committed to providing equal opportunity for housing to all applicants, and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, ancestry, class, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, military/veteran status, source of income, age or other basis prohibited by local state or federal law in any aspect of tenant selection.
Rental Housing FAQ
How do I get on the waitlist?
You must complete and submit the rental application to be placed on the waitlist. Once we have received your fully completed application, you are placed on the waitlist based on the date we receive your application. Applicants will be contacted in order when a home based on your needs becomes available.
Please note, submitting an application does not guarantee you will be accepted to rent a home from Matthew 25.
When is the $40 application fee due?
The $40 application processing fee is not due when you submit your application. The $40 processing fee will need to be paid when a property is available, and you agree to rent the property.
How long does the credit and background check take?
Credit and background checks are run after your application is complete, a unit is selected, and we have received your application fee. The credit and background checks are then requested and are generally completed within 48 hours, but may take longer depending on individual circumstances.
Who is eligible to rent a house from Matthew 25?
Matthew 25 will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, ancestry, class, sex, sexual orientation, Familial status, disability, military/veteran status, source of income, age or other basis prohibited by local state or federal law in any aspect of tenant selection.
Are there any income qualifications?
Matthew 25 believes that rent should not be oppressive for any of our tenants, so we will not place a tenant in a unit unless the rent will be less than 30% of their income. For example, to rent a house for $900 per month you need to have at least $2,700 in income per month.
Some of the houses we rent are restricted to be available only to low income renters. To rent these units, we need to collect additional paperwork. If you’re not sure whether you would qualify, please ask; the threshold is higher than most people expect.
How long is Matthew 25's lease term?
The minimum lease term is for a 1-year tenancy.
What if I have an eviction?
We ask that your eviction be at least four years or older. We may work with tenants on a case-by-case basis, so please let us know in your application the circumstances surrounding your situation.
Do you take Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers?
Yes we do, many of our houses have passed the inspection to be eligible for Housing Choice Vouchers.
What sizes of houses do you have?
Our houses range from studio/efficiency apartments up to four-bedroom homes.
Are they all apartments or do you have single-family homes?
We have a variety of properties, from 4-plex and duplex homes, to single-family properties.
Do you accept pets?
Matthew 25 maintains a no pet policy. Accommodations for service animals and/or ESA’s will be made according to the Fair Housing Act standards.
Does Matthew 25 pay my utility bills?
Most of our properties are sub-metered, so each tenant is responsible for setting up and paying their own utilities. In the few cases where multiple units share a meter, those utilities will be included in your monthly rent.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Matthew 25 at [email protected] or call 319-804-9818.
Meet Tonya Marie!
Neighborhood Building Rental Property Leader
Contact Tonya Marie if you have any questions about renting with Matthew 25.