HOUSING
We partner with cities, developers, and individual homeowners to directly address housing needs in our region. Our experienced housing staff also works with two housing trust funds to expand affordable housing opportunities in their service areas through a wide range of housing activities from preservation to new construction.
Grant Writing & Administration
Housing is an increasingly important topic of conversation throughout much of our region. We are able to help communities meet their housing goals or bring new ideas to life through grant identification, application, and requirements management. From one-time sources like disaster relief funding to recurring programs like the Federal Home Loan Bank's Affordable Housing Program, or Iowa Finance Authority's and Iowa Economic Development Authority's housing programs, ECICOG is familiar with a large variety of funding opportunities for housing programs.
Technical Assistance
ECICOG’s staff are skilled planners, with expertise ranging from community engagement to construction management. ECICOG can perform housing studies at many levels, from informal readiness assessments to full studies of existing stock and market forces, to determine the best path forward for housing development. Staff can also help cities develop and administer programs to use funds resulting from residential TIF districts. For cities that want to proactively maintain city code compliance, ECICOG can help manage inspections, letters, and follow-ups.
HOUSING RESOURCES
For Community Members
Looking to buy a new home, repair an existing home or need critical assistance for you home? You're in the right place.
Lead Hazard Reduction Grant
The Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program provides funding to help low-to-moderate income homeowners make their homes safer by identifying and addressing lead-based paint hazards in Benton, Iowa, Jones, Johnson, Linn & Washington Counties.
Roof Repair Programs
Two new programs helping homeowners protect their homes with roofing repairs. Open to eligible homeowners in Hiawatha and Coralville.
Palo Home Repair
Find out if you qualify for our home repair assistance today. Available for residents in the city of Palo, Iowa.
HOME Down Payment Assistance Program
The IFA Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program provides down payment assistance and minor rehabilitation to low-to-moderate income first-time homebuyers in Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn & Washington Counties.
Owner-Occupied Home Repair Programs
ECICOG is currently accepting applications on an ongoing basis for several programs. Owner-occupied rehabilitation programs are offered throughout ECICOG's 6-county region by each housing trust fund. Low-to-moderate income limits vary by county, and applicants must be living in the home as their primary residence. The program guidelines and applications for the program is shown below.
Nuisance Enforcement
For Local Governments
ECICOG assists communities with nuisance enforcement by visually assessing properties for any nuisance violations, per the city priorities and the city code. ECICOG proactively conducts the inspections and sends non-compliance letters, then follows up to confirm compliance, relieving city staff of this time-consuming task.
For more information, contact mark.culver@ecicog.org.
Community Needs Assessments
ECICOG offers housing needs assessments for communities in our region.
For more information, contact deanna.robinson@ecicog.org.
Housing Trust Funds
A housing trust fund is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting affordable housing. ECICOG hosts two Housing Trust Funds: Housing Fund for Linn County and East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund.
Homes for Iowa
Iowa’s Council of Governments helped develop the Homes for Iowa program, through which inmates at the Newton Correction Facility train in construction trades and construct affordable homes. These “stick built” homes are available for transport around the state. ECICOG assists with Homes for Iowa placement within our region.
For more information, contact mark.culver@ecicog.org.
A recording of a webinar about the program is also available on YouTube.
