ICOG's legislative priorities for 2024 are:
1. INCREASE COG ASSISTANCE TO $400,000
In 2023, the 17 councils of governments (COGs) collectively received an appropriation of $250,000. This funds only $14, 705 per region.
COGS HAVE AN IMPACT ON IOWA
With this $400,000 invested by the state, COGs will be able to assist local governments by managing $56,800,000 in other grants and projects. If not for these dollars the state would be losing money elsewhere based on the expertise of COGs. We use state money to leverage federal money. This is pennies on the dollar for what the state gets in return from COGs work.
VIEW A MAP of Iowa showing the significant impact COGs have on projects in the state of Iowa.
WHY AN INCREASE?
COGs provide valuable and unmatched services to cities and counties, especially small communities without professional staff. Each COG provides programs and services based on the unique needs of its region and its communities. Now is the time to strengthen the partnership between the state of Iowa and COGs by increasing the COG assistance from its current level of $250,000 to $400,000.
COGs will be able to add to their service capacity. This is a low-cost means to assist cities and counties in the entire state. The increase to $400,000 is progress towards our ultimate goal of $1.9 million in COG Assistance, which would be $70,000 for each of the 17 COGs. This amount will afford COGs to bring on an additional staff person to allow more resources and extend our services.
2. LAND REDEVELOPMENT TRUSTS ARE GREAT FOR IOWA
ICOG supports the passage of land redevelopment trust legislation that acquires vacant, abandoned or dilapidated properties and then improves them through development or redevelopment. At its heart, a land redevelopment trust picks up the properties that have been neglected and rejected by the open market.
By acquiring problem properties, eliminating their liabilities and transferring them to new owners in a manner most supportive of local needs and priorities, a land redevelopment trust serves as a catalyst for transforming distressed properties into community assets.
3. SUPPORT HOUSING INITIATIVES
To promote economic development and expand home ownership opportunities, Iowa needs to increase and maintain the housing supply for Iowans.
ICOG acknowledges the need for additional affortable housing and support housing initiatives that include:
- Funding Housing Trust Funds: Inflationary and construction costs have continued to erode recent increases to the Housing Trust Fund (HTFs). ICOG supports the increase investment over time that would benefit the state of Iowa.
- Workforce Housing Tax Credit: The workforce housing tax credit base value (currently $150,000) should be increased to provide impactful incentives for single-family units across the state of Iowa.
- Housing Renewal Program: ICOG supports continued support of this program for renovation of diladitated, nuisance properties for affordable homeownership.
- Downpayment Assistance for Military Members: Increase funding to the Military Down Payment Assistance.
To download the 2024 Legislative Priorities brochure, CLICK HERE.