Housing & Community Development Department

Welcome to the Community Development Department, serving Benton, Iowa, Jones, Johnson, Linn and Washington Counties.
The department is staffed by:
Chad Sands, Community Development Department Director;
Gary Hughes, Grant Writer/Administrator;
Melanie Riley, Housing Planner; and
Diana Stromer, Program Specialist.

ECICOG is currently administering grants to assist in structural repairs caused by wind and tornado damage in the summer of 2011. Please read through the program information below or contact Diana Stromer.
Press Release
Program Description
Application Checklist
Application
Release of Information Form

Services Offered:

• Staffing of the Housing Fund for Linn County
• Staffing of the East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund
• Housing
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Applications and Administration
• Economic Development
• Land Use Planning, Development and Codification
• FEMA DMA 2000 Compliant Hazard Mitigation Plans

ECICOG offers local governments a variety of technical assistance on land use planning, zoning and subdivision regulation, and local government financing. ECICOG also assists cities in updating their code of ordinances as required by state regulations. Our staff can provide information on historic preservation, recreation planning, downtown revitalization, and urban renewal special taxation districts. Among local governments, ECICOG is perhaps best known for it success in securing and administering state and federal funds for local infrastructure improvement and community facility projects.

Using a variety of grants, loans, and local financial tools, our staff also helps create an exciting environment where local governments become active partners in developing and preserving quality, affordable housing. ECICOG provides planning and administrative assistance to communities and counties in their efforts to address local housing needs. Housing rehabilitation, adaptive reuse of existing structures, and new housing developments are some of the opportunities assisted through ECICOG. Housing needs assessments can also be conducted to better determine local housing demand.