HOMES FOR IOWA
COGs play a vital role in fostering innovative projects like Homes for Iowa. COGs serve as community problem solvers! Homes for Iowa, Inc. (HFI) is a public-private partnership with Iowa Prison Industries. The vision of the partnership is to "Be the premier public-private partnership that trains offenders, reduces recidivism, and benefits Iowans". To date, 92 homes have been delivered, all with the assistance of an Iowa Council of Governments.
Area 15 Regional Planning Commission
Area 15 Regional Planning Commission has facilitated the placement of 14 Homes For Iowa houses since 2020. Located in Ottumwa’s west-end, this home (see picture) was delivered and set June 25, 2024 and is expected to sell for $135,000.
This is the third Homes For Iowa house completed by Rippling Waters, a local nonprofit dedicated to increasing the availability of quality affordable homes in Ottumwa. Homes For Iowa has quickly become an indispensable tool to address infill development across our region.
East Central Iowa Council of Governments
ECICOG is currently working with a developer who is purchasing a total of nine Homes for Iowa homes to be placed in the Anderson Creek Phase II subdivision in Vinton in 2024. The development is near the Vinton High School and is the second phase of a successful subdivision. After seeing the quality of the Homes for Iowa houses, the developer felt that the program would enable them to build out the second phase with a high quality product more quickly than traditional on-site construction. The first house has been delivered, and the closing for that home occurred in June. The buyer of the home also received down payment assistance from the East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund to make the home even more affordable.
ECICOG recently also facilitated the purchase of a finished Homes for Iowa home for Jones County Economic Development, who will offer the speculate home to a buyer in Anamosa, IA. It is anticipated the home will be ready to be moved into later in 2024.
Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments
The INRCOG team joined up with Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity to place a brand-new Homes for Iowa home in the Heartland Hills subdivision in rural Bremer County.
Along with determining lot suitability, zoning compliance, utility availability, and logistical suitability, INRCOG aided Habitat for Humanity in securing financial assistance through the Iowa Northland Regional Housing Council trust fund to construct the foundation. 3This is the second Homes for Iowa homes to be delivered to the INRCOG region. A 3-D Walk-through of 508 Walnut Court is available here.
Region XII Council of Governments
Among the nearly 20 Homes for Iowa houses Region XII COG has helped locate in its region, it has developed nine itself and has plans for more in the future. In Jefferson, the first homes placed in the state were in an established neighborhood in need of reinvestment. Along with two stick-built homes the COG constructed and town homes constructed by another developer, an area of declining investment saw vacant lots fill homeowners.
Key Partners: City of Jefferson, Greene County, Region XII COG, COG Housing LHTF, IEDA (WHTC), Homes for Iowa
In Coon Rapids, a high-visibility corner was cleared of a blighted home by the City, who donated the lot to the COG. In a transition between a well-kept established neighborhood and newer development by the school, the COG installed a new home which will helps fill a price point not otherwise available in the community.
Key Partners: City of Coon Rapids, Coon Rapids Development Group, Region XII COG, IEDA (WHTC)
Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission
Time was not kind to an 1800s two story apartment at 236 Ave E in Fort Madison, IA. The property had been through several uses, including an office, dry goods store, storage, then finally a four-unit apartment building. Eventually the property became a nuisance, tenants were relocated and the City acquired the property under Iowa Code Chapter 657A.
A local developer, Green Oak Development, saw the lot as a chance to continue his passion of seeding redeveloped properties in the community. The City made a quick process to transfer the property – only there was no plan yet in place to transform the lot into something better.
Green Oak already had an order for a 2-bedroom Homes for Iowa home to be placed in their subdivision two miles away on the west side of town. In a matter of six weeks, Green Oak called SEIRPC and hatched a plan to demolish the two-story building, excavate and pour a foundation, and prepare utilities for the HFI home.
The plan worked seamlessly from the contractor to the HFI moving crew. Multiple comments from community leaders and longtime observers were positive to the person. It’s simple – people love to see improvement in older neighborhoods. Even the neighbors weren’t upset about a traffic disruption for a day.
Now, the home is beautifully finished and sold to a Fort Madison resident and the lot has new life as a symbol of redevelopment hope in an older Iowa river town.
Southern Iowa Council of Governments
Southern Iowa Council of Governments assisted Bedford Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) in bringing the first Homes for Iowa house into the SICOG region. The home was delivered on May 14 and set on the foundation on May 29, after weather delays. It is located at the corner of Pearl and State St. The house is approximately 1,200 square foot home with three bedrooms and two baths. BEDC are excited to get this home sold, so they can continue to add housing options for the community.
Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission
The City of Fayette partnered with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, Homes for Iowa, and Iowa Prison Industries to purchase a Homes for Iowa home at 207 Alexander Street, Fayette, IA. The Fayette Homes for Iowa house made its way from Newton and was delivered to Fayette in July of 2022. With the help from local contractors, the home was completed in October 2022. This three-bedroom home was purchased by a three-member family for $130,000.
According to the 2022 Fayette County Housing Assessment, 50% of respondents expressed a need for newer homes, specifically three bedroom, two-bathroom ones. The study also found that lower-income households have the fewest housing options due to supply and affordability issues, often leading them to spend a larger portion of their income on housing.
Homes for Iowa assisted the City of Fayette and UERPC to address the region and state’s housing shortages.