Polk County

Polk County, Iowa was founded in 1846 comprising an area of close to 580 square miles as of the 2020 census, 492,401 people lived there. Polk County is home to multiple attractions such as historic buildings cultural centers museums gardens public parks many Outdoor activities include camping, hiking, bird watching, cycling and fishing. The city of Des Moines is the county seat, and it is also the Capital City of Iowa.
Date of HBI Establishment: November 2023
Website: Polk County Veteran Affairs
Contact: Pat Sweeney / pat.sweeney@polkcountyiowa.gov / 515-286-3673
Cities: Ankeny, Bondurant, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Pleasant Hill, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Norwalk

Ankeny

Home Base Iowa (HBI) 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.

In Ankeny, incentives include:

  • Discounted drop-in daycare for visiting veterans
  • Free hotel stay for visiting/interviewing veterans and a discount on long-term hotel stays
  • Discounted realtor fees for new home purchases
  • Discount on health club membership
  • Des Moines Area Community College benefits (DMACC in Ankeny)

Home Base Iowa Community Established: June 2016

Bondurant

Home Base Iowa (HBI) 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.

In Bondurant, incentives include:

  • Each veteran that visits Bondurant will receive a “Welcome Bag” from the Chamber of Commerce.
  • A community representative will arrange for a community tour and facilitate arranging meetings with various service providers in the community.
  • Ten percent reduction in building permit fees.
  • Access to the Polk County Veterans Affairs at Camp Dodge in Building 3465 in nearby Johnston.
  • The VA Central Iowa Health Care System operates a Veterans Health Administration medical facility in Des Moines with a Community Based Outpatient Clinic located in Marshalltown, which is 37 miles away from Bondurant.

Home Base Iowa Community Established: February 2017 

Des Moines

Home Base Iowa (HBI) 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.

In Des Moines, incentives include:

Home Base Iowa Community Established: June 2017

Grimes

Home Base Iowa (HBI) 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.

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

Johnston

Home Base Iowa (HBI) 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.

In Johnston, incentives include:

  • Many retail, service and dining discounts at Johnston-area businesses.

Home Base Iowa Community Established: March 2015

Pleasant Hill

Home Base Iowa (HBI) 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.

In Pleasant Hill, incentives include:

Home Base Iowa Community Established: February 2017

Urbandale

Home Base Iowa (HBI) 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.

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

West Des Moines

Home Base Iowa (HBI) 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.

In West Des Moines, incentives include:

Home Base Iowa Community Established: September 2015

Norwalk

Home Base Iowa (HBI) 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.

In Norwalk, Incentives include:

BUSINESS

Up to $5,000 to a veteran or spouse of a veteran who opens a new business or expands an existing one in a commercially zoned area of Norwalk.

FITNESS

One month free and 10% off dues at Anytime Fitness, our 24 hr. fitness center, easy access to the Great Western Trail, and youth sports volunteer opportunities.

FAMILY TIME

$250 in gift certificates to be used for parks and recreation programs, aquatic center entry, or library meeting space rental for birthday parties.

TRANSITION ASSISTANCE

Resume reviewing, job placement assistance with veteran-friendly employers, and(if desired) a Norwalk veteran to assist with the transition.

COMMUNITY PRIDE

Free one-year family activity pass for Norwalk School District events, Norwalk "N" sticker, and a community history tour.

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 locating 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 located 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: info@ialegion.org.

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.

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. 

There are currently no CHAMPs partners located in this county. Please check surrounding communities for CHAMPs offering online programs.

Polk County Veteran Incentives

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

Transportation Assistance

  • Polk County offers eligible veterans free public transportation through the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART).

Home Base Iowa Statewide Veteran Incentives
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:

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