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Buchanan Housing Inc

EIN 42-1487279 · Independence, IA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceWeak44 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE LOW COST HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES. THE AGENCY OWNS THREE DUPLEXES IN INDEPENDENCE, IOWA, ONE DUPLEX IN WINTHROP, IOWA, ONE DUPLEX IN JESUP, IOWA, AND ONE DUPLEX IN FAIRBANK, IOWA. EACH DUPLEX HAS TWO APARTMENTS AND EACH APARTMENT HAS TWO BEDROOMS.

Income
$149,299
Spending
$131,654
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (housing, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (housing, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $131,654 spent. THERE ARE THREE DUPLEXES IN INDEPENDENCE, IOWA WHICH HOUSE A TOTAL OF 12 TENANTS. ONE DUPLEX IN WINTHROP, IOWA HOUSES 4 TENANTS, A DUPLEX IN JESUP, IOWA HOUSES 4 TENANTS, AND ANOTHER DUPLEX IN FAIRBANK, IOWA HOUSES 4 TENANTS. ALL OF THE DUPLEXES EXCEPT THE FAIRBANK, IOWA DUPLEX AND ONE INDEPENDENCE, IOWA DUPLEX WERE BUILT WITH LOANS FROM THE USDA, AND THE LOANS ARE PAYABLE FROM TENANT'S RENTAL INCOME. THE FAIRBANK, IOWA DUPLEX WAS BUILT WITH EXISTING CASH BALANCES AND A LOAN FROM FAIRBANK STATE BANK. THE INDEPENDENCE, IOWA DUPLEX PURCHASED IN 2011 WAS PAID FOR WITH EXISTING CASH BALANCES, GRANTS, AND A LOAN FROM BANKIOWA WHICH IS A LOCAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. EACH TENANT RECEIVES HUD ASSISTANCE WHICH HELPS PAY THEIR PORTION OF THE RENT. THE APARTMENTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING RENTED BY TENANTS WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A MENTAL DISABILITY. THE COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE PERFORMS SCREENINGS OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD QUALIFY FOR THE HOUSING AND MAKES REFERENCES TO THE ORGANIZATION FOR POTENTIAL TENANTS WHO HAVE A MENTAL IMPAIRMENT. THIS HOUSING IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO A GROUP HOME SETTING FOR THE INDIVIDUALS. THEY HAVE MORE FREEDOM AND CAN CHOOSE SERVICES THAT BETTER MEET THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.THE EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION ARE MAINLY DUE TO INTEREST EXPENSE ON THE USDA AND BANK LOANS, DEPRECIATION EXPENSE OF THE DUPLEXES, AND OCCUPANCY EXPENSES (INCLUDING MAINTENANCE, UPKEEP, AND UTILITIES) FOR THE DUPLEXES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.