Mayor Walsh proclaimed April 2-6, 2018 as Council Bluffs Community Development Week, in conjunction with a celebration of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program.
Enacted into law in 1974, the CDBG program is the principal federal program providing grants to states, cities, and towns to devise neighborhood approaches that will improve the physical, economic and social conditions in communities. Similar to CDBG, the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) was authorized in 1990 to provide funds to communities for affordable housing. Both are administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The City receives approximately $845,000 in CDBG and $175,000 in HOME funds annually. In the last five years, the City has utilized funds by assisting in the construction of 72 rental units, providing down payment assistance to 21 first-time homeowners, completing 32 emergency repairs on single-family homes, demolishing structures and completing clean-up work on ten sites, rehabbing seven units for persons with disabilities. The funding is also used in partnership with shelters to provide supportive services to over 15,500 individuals and 2,800 households with housing counseling.
The City would like to thank its nonprofit partners and their substantial efforts in Council Bluffs: Catholic Charities, Christian Worship Center, Family Housing Advisory Services, Heartland Family Service, Habitat for Humanity, League of Human Dignity, MICAH House, Vodec & NeighborWorks Home Solutions, among others.
The Community Development Department is partnering with the Southwest Iowa Regional Office of Legal Aid on their new community stabilization effort. Concentrating efforts and resources, the two organizations will maximize impact in high poverty neighborhoods. Programs include:
Community Development Residential Rehabilitation for Affected Properties Program
In conjunction with Community Development Week, the Community Development Department is expanding its single-family, owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program to include a newly created Affected Properties Program area. This area encompasses 2nd Avenue from South 16th Street to South 25th Street.
The emphasis of this program will be on exterior repairs and improvements such as weatherization, window replacement, door replacement, roofing, gutters, porch repair/reconstruction, painting, tuck-pointing, retaining walls, driveways and sidewalks. In addition, funds can be used for electrical, plumbing and HVAC improvements.
Assistance level is income based and includes the following options: (1) a deferred loan/grant, (2) a grant-loan combination and (3) an interest free installment loan. Up to $24,950 is available to each qualified applicant.
For more information and to determine eligibility, please contact Lora Flom at 712-328-4629 or [email protected].
Urgent Need Rehabilitation Program
Pipe burst? Basement filling with water? The Community Development Department provides emergency assistance when things go wrong and you can’t afford the repair. Up to $5,000 is available in grant funds to qualified single-family, owner-occupied households.
What is considered urgent need?
- Repair and replacement of water and sewer lines
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Water heater replacement
- Furnace replacement
For more information and to determine eligibility, please contact Lora Flom at 712-328-4629 or [email protected].
Iowa Legal Aid Community Stabilization Project
With a grant from the Iowa West Foundation this project will provide approximately 200 low-income individuals and families from Council Bluffs free legal assistance in order to help them obtain basic necessities, improve their financial situations, and increase their overall stability. Assistance will include legal assessment, education, and advocacy, as well as connection to community resources.
Project staff will provide education events in Council Bluffs on a multitude of legal issues, such as consumer law and eviction prevention. Agencies throughout Council Bluffs will work to identify and resolve issues that affect individuals and families as well as impact neighborhoods, such as distressed housing.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact Iowa Legal Aid at 515-280-3636 or visit their office at 532 1st Avenue.