West Des Moines • City Program Guide
West Des Moines Will Pay Up to $5,000 to Fix Your Radon.
The city's Radon Mitigation Program covers testing and a full mitigation system for income-qualified homes — as a grant, not a loan. Here's exactly who qualifies and how to apply, step by step.
Start With a Free EstimateA Grant That Pays for the Whole Fix
West Des Moines sits in Polk County, where the average radon level is 7.3 pCi/L — nearly double the EPA action level. In 2025, the city did something about it: the Radon Mitigation Program pays up to $5,000 per home to test for radon and install a mitigation system in income-qualified households.
It's a grant, not a loan — nothing is ever repaid. And because a typical residential mitigation system costs well under the $5,000 cap, most qualifying homes get the entire fix, including both radon tests, for $0 out of pocket.
Funds are limited and awarded first-come, first-served — so if your household might qualify, it pays to apply while the program is funded.
Program at a Glance
- Up to $5,000per home, covering the radon test, the mitigation system, and the verification test after.
- A grant— never repaid, no lien, no interest.
- Since 2025an active City of West Des Moines program, run by WDM Housing Services.
- First-comefunding is limited each year — early applications have the best odds.
City contact: WDM Housing Services · 515-273-0770 · housing@wdm.iowa.gov
Who Qualifies
Three requirements decide eligibility — and they're broader than most people expect.
Inside city limits
The home must be within West Des Moines city limits. Any part of the city qualifies — including the Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison County portions.
House, duplex, or townhouse
Single-family homes, duplexes, and townhouses are eligible — owner-occupied or rental. Renters: the property owner applies, so share this page with your landlord.
Income at or below 80% AMI
Total household income must be at or below 80% of the area median for your household size. For a family of four in the Des Moines metro, that was about $91,600 (FY2025) — limits adjust annually.
The city also confirms the property is in good standing — generally that means current on mortgage, property taxes, and homeowner's insurance, with no outstanding city fines. WDM Housing Services verifies the full requirements when you apply.
How to Apply, Step by Step
Start with a free estimate
Call or text us at 515-462-1275. We'll test your home, quote the fix, and tell you straight whether the grant should cover all of it. No obligation.
Request the application from the city
Contact WDM Housing Services at 515-273-0770 or housing@wdm.iowa.gov and ask for the Radon Mitigation Program application. Program details are on the city's website.
Fill it out — we'll help, free
The application asks for your household members, gross income for every adult, and property information. List everyone who lives in the home and use gross (pre-tax) income. If any of it is confusing, we'll sit down and complete it with you at no charge.
The city verifies your eligibility
Housing Services reviews your documents and confirms your income against the current limits. Once you're approved, the grant is reserved for your home.
We install — the grant pays
A one-day installation, then a verification test to prove it worked. Every system we install is guaranteed below 2.7 pCi/L. The grant covers up to $5,000 — for most homes, that's everything.
What You'll Need
Income-verified city programs typically ask for the same short list of documents. Gather these before you apply and the process moves fast:
- Photo ID for the applicant
- Proof of income for every adult in the household — recent pay stubs, your latest federal tax return, or Social Security / benefit statements
- Proof of ownership — a mortgage statement, deed, or property tax statement
- Proof of current homeowner's insurance
The city confirms the exact checklist when you request the application — requirements can change from year to year.
Grant Program — Common Questions
Do I have to pay the money back?
No. The West Des Moines Radon Mitigation Program is a grant, not a loan. If your household qualifies, the city pays up to $5,000 toward radon testing and mitigation, and you never repay it.
Does the grant cover the radon test, or just the mitigation system?
Both. The program covers the initial radon test, the mitigation system installation, and the verification test afterward — up to $5,000 total. Since a typical residential mitigation system costs well under that cap, most qualifying homes pay nothing out of pocket.
How much can my household earn and still qualify?
Your total household income must be at or below 80% of the area median income, which varies by household size. For the Des Moines metro, the FY2025 limit for a four-person household was about $91,600 — higher than many families expect. The city verifies your exact limit when you apply.
I rent my home in West Des Moines. Can I use the program?
Rental properties qualify — single-family homes, duplexes, and townhouses can be enrolled whether they are owner-occupied or rentals. The property owner applies, so share this page with your landlord. Fixing radon costs them nothing if the home qualifies.
What if I don’t qualify for the grant?
Radon doesn’t care about income limits, and neither do we. All Midwest Radon keeps testing and mitigation affordable for every home in the metro, and every mitigation system we install is guaranteed to bring your home below 2.7 pCi/L. Start with a free estimate either way.
Is All Midwest Radon part of the city program?
No — the program is administered entirely by the City of West Des Moines. All Midwest Radon is an independent, Iowa-credentialed radon contractor (mitigation license RNMIT10136, testing license RNTST10285). We help our customers understand the program and prepare the application, and the city makes all eligibility decisions.
The Radon Mitigation Program is administered by the City of West Des Moines, not All Midwest Radon. Eligibility, income limits, and funding availability are set by the city — confirm current details with WDM Housing Services or at wdm.iowa.gov. Income figure shown is the FY2025 Des Moines metro 80% AMI limit for a four-person household; limits adjust annually.
One call starts the paperwork and the fix.
Free estimate, help with the city application, and a system guaranteed below 2.7 pCi/L — whether the grant covers it or not.
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