Thousands of Central Iowa residents could lose federal rent assistance benefits if the government shutdown extends into March, reports the Des Moines Register. More than 3,100 Polk County families receive federal rent assistance, totaling about $1.3 million each month. The subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development range from small stipends to as much as 90 percent of some recipients’ monthly rent payments. On Twitter, the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) warned the loss of housing is directly linked to food insecurity. “If these vital housing assistance programs are delayed by the shutdown our DMARC food pantry system will also see a huge increase in need for food assistance,” DMARC tweeted.