The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Iowa City officials talk affordable housing

Rainy+Tuesday+on+the+University+of+Iowa+campus.+Old+Capital+on+October+14th%2C+2014.%28DailyIowan%2FAnnaKilzer%29
Rainy Tuesday on the University of Iowa campus. Old Capital on October 14th, 2014.(DailyIowan/AnnaKilzer)

By Kendrew Panyanouvong

[email protected]

Affordable-housing activists are making progress locally following a joint meeting Monday.

Local entities gathered on Monday to discuss updates on numerous local issues, including affordable housing and the Iowa Arena and Sports Institute Project.

Officials attending included members of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, Iowa City School Board, Clear Creek/Amana School District, and city councilors from Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, and Hills.

In Johnson County’s recent push to make affordable housing more available, officials discussed “common housing terms” in efforts to encourage those to use specific terms when speaking on the topic.

“Our hope is that this kind of gets that first question out of the way and provide definition’s regarding affordable housing,” said Andy Johnson, an executive assistant to the supervisors.

The supervisors also announced that they have allotted $600,000 in the affordable-housing budget for fiscal 2017. The money will be handled by the Housing Trust fund of Johnson County.

Johnson noted that this would be the Housing Trust Fund’s largest donation yet.

“I think everyone realized it snuck up on the city, and we’re trying to digest that and how to move forward and prevent that same thing from happening again or at least making steps to soften the blow,” City Manager Geoff Fruin said in discussing the Rose Oaks situation, which displaced hundreds of low-income residents recently.

Fruin said the city would begin requiring a layout of a relocation plan for any future major site plans that would displace 12 or more units.

Many at the meeting commended Iowa City and the supervisors, saying they hope to see Iowa City’s affordable-housing plans as a model for other communities.

“This is something to be enthusiastic about, appreciate the forward motion,” said Iowa City School Board Vice President Brian Kirschling. “This is a great ‘what’s next.’ The glossary of terms is important, and we hope to see this conversation continue.”

Coralville Mayor John Lundell said the topic of affordable housing is something he has started to focus on.

“It takes a lot of crumbs to make a loaf of bread,” he said. “Applying to this topic, there are several very important approaches. I think Coralville is taking the crumb approach to take advantage and making sure it stays affordable and reachable to those who need it the most.”

Coralville City Administrator Kelly Hayworth described updates about the Iowa Arena Project, a new arena and athlete training center to be built in the Iowa River Landing District.

The project is in the process of building three private buildings in conjunction with the arena, with plans of moving the proposed hotel on top of the buildings to make it more “integrated,” he said.

He also said the city is trying to finish up firming partnerships, including with a construction-management company.

More to Discover