6th annual HousingIowa awards honor outstanding housing initiatives throughout Iowa

(Des Moines, Iowa) - Three outstanding Iowa housing initiatives and two individuals from throughout the state were recently recognized with HousingIowa Awards at the 2013 HousingIowa Conference, presented by the Iowa Finance Authority in Coralville.

The HousingIowa Awards recognize outstanding programs, projects and people for their leadership and innovation in advancing affordable housing development in Iowa. The four categories include : Multifamily, Single-Family, Special Needs and Legislative Friend of Housing Award.

In addition to the HousingIowa Awards, the Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award was awarded, founded in 2008 when the state of Iowa lost an exceptional community development advocate with the passing of Kay Anderson. A resident of LeMars and long-time member of the IFA Board of Directors, Kay is remembered for her kindness to others and commitment to the success of programs that helped make Iowa a better place. This award recognizes an individual who encompasses Kay's outstanding qualities.

An independent panel of judges deemed the following 2013 HousingIowa Award winners:

Multifamily Development

Crestview Terrace Apartments, Community Housing Initiatives

Contact: Sam Erickson, COO, Community Housing Initiatives: 515.262.5965

Single-Family Development

Providing Assistance for Teachers Housing, Southern Iowa COG Housing Trust Fund

Contact: Timothy Ostroski, Executive Director, Southern Iowa COG Housing Trust Fund: 641.782.8491

Special Needs Development

Central Iowa Shelter and Services Homeless Opportunity Center

Contact: Tony Timm, Executive Director, Central Iowa Shelter and Services: 515.284.5719

Legislative Friend of Housing Award

Senator Robert Dvorsky, Iowa State Senate

Contact: Senator Robert Dvorsky: 319.351.0988

6th Annual Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award

Susan McGuire, Center for Siouxland

Contact: Susan McGuire: 712.252.1861

More information about the HousingIowa Conference is available at www.IFAMeetings.com

The Iowa Legislature created The Iowa Finance Authority, the state's housing finance agency, in 1975 to

undertake programs to assist in the attainment of housing for low- and moderate-income Iowans. Since then, the Iowa Finance Authority's role has grown to include nearly 50 affordable housing and water quality programs. The Iowa Finance Authority is a self-supporting public agency whose mission is to finance, administer, advance and preserve affordable housing and to promote community and economic development for Iowans.

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Under Construction: A Home Improvement Photo Contest to foster pride and benefits of homeownership

DES MOINES - The Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of Realtors®, Iowa Home Ownership Education Project and the Iowa Mortgage Association have partnered on an innovative social media contest that asks Iowans to show off their best Do-It-Yourself home projects and Pinterest™ aspirations. The contest is accepting entries from now through the end of July and offers a $2,500 gift card as the top prize.

"We're excited to offer this innovative social media contest in partnership with the Iowa Association of Realtors®, Iowa Home Ownership Education Project and the Iowa Mortgage Association as a way to raise awareness of the benefits of homeownership," said Dave Jamison, Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director. "We encourage everyone to enter and to vote often for their favorite entry and show us what fun, home projects that you have planned."

Any Iowan over the age of eighteen can participate by visiting a participating lender, housing counselor or Realtor®. Participants are asked to write a word or short phrase describing their project, or future project on a memo board and take a photo with their project and submit it through a participating lender, housing counselor or Realtor®. Submissions are being accepted now through July 31. A full list of participating locations is available at IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Contest.

The winner will be determined by public voting August 1-16 at facebook.com/MeaningofHomeownership.

The winning participant with the most votes will receive a grand prize of a $2,500 Lowe's gift card and the winning Realtor® and lender/housing counselor will each receive a $2,500 Community Betterment Grant for all combined votes received. Lenders, housing counselors and Realtors® may sign-up to be a participating location by visiting IowaFinanceAuthortiy.gov/Contest.

"This is a great time to purchase a home or to be an existing homeowner. This partnership has created an exciting, new contest to help raise awareness of the many benefits of homeownership, with some friendly competition and fun," said Dave Bert, CEO of the Iowa Association of Realtors®. "We extended this year's contest so that more Iowans can get involved and realize the wonderful opportunities of homeownership."

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Under Construction Social Media Contest Offers $2,500 Prize

DAVENPORT - The Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of Realtors®, Iowa Home Ownership Education Project and the Iowa Mortgage Association have teamed up with Davenport area lenders and Realtors® to promote The Meaning of Homeownership: Under Construction Contest, while celebrating high regional home sales. This joint effort between lenders and Realtors® highlights the high Davenport area home sale trends, including a thirty-three percent increase in homes sales over last year and offers Davenport area residents a chance at winning a $2,500 gift card.

"This contest is a fun way to raise awareness of the benefits of homeownership throughout the summer," said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. "We're excited to be offering this summer contest in partnership with Cedar Rapids area lenders and Realtors® and take advantage of this opportunity to educate Iowans about the homeownership programs that the Iowa Finance Authority offers."

"The Iowa Association of Realtors® nearly 6,200 Realtor® members across the state are professionals who follow a strict code of ethical guidelines, and help people realize their homeowning dreams every day in communities throughout Iowa. IAR is pleased to participate in this contest, which is an innovative and exciting opportunity to interact with Iowans and remind them of the many benefits of homeownership," said Dave Bert, CEO of the Iowa Association of Realtors®.

The social media contest asks Iowa mortgage lenders, housing counselors and Realtors® asking their clients to show-off do-it-yourself home projects. Participants will write a short phrase or word on a memo board and snap a photo for the entry. The contestant with the most votes in the Facebook contest will win a $2,500 gift card. Cedar Rapids area residents are encouraged to visit a participating contest location for their chance to win. A full list of current contest locations is available at IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Contest<http://www.iowafinanceauthority.gov/contest>.

"The real estate market in the Quad Cities is doing very well," said Eugene Holst of the Quad City Area Realtor® Association. "We have seen an outstanding thirty-three percent increase in home sales this May over May of 2012. "We're excited to have Quad Cities Realtors®, lenders and housing counselors participate in this fun contest to get home buyers motivated to get out and see what is on the market."

Contest entries will be voted on by the public August 1-16 at Facebook.com/MeaningofHomeownership <http://www.facebook.com/meaningofhomeownership>. The entry with the most votes will receive a $2,500 gift card and the lender and Realtor® with the most combined votes will each receive a $2,500 community betterment grant.

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Education Series offered by the Iowa Finance Authority,
Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the
Iowa Home Ownership Education Project

QUAD CITIES - On Wednesday, June 5 the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project are partnering to bring Quad Cities area home buyers a free educational session.

One in a series of seminars entitled, Free Home Buyer Education Series: Unique Iowa Programs & Information to Get You Started, the program will provide information on state mortgage and down payment assistance programs, homeownership benefits and the steps towards owning a home. Iowa Finance Authority staff will present the information, and housing counselors will also be on hand to answer questions. The event will be hosted by the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Quad City Area REALTOR® Association
1900 State Street, Bettendorf

COST: Free

REGISTRATION: IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Registration


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Education Series offered by the Iowa Finance Authority,
Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project

QUAD CITIES - On Wednesday, June 5 the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project are partnering to bring Quad Cities area home buyers a free educational session.

One in a series of seminars entitled, Free Home Buyer Education Series: Unique Iowa Programs & Information to Get You Started, the program will provide information on state mortgage and down payment assistance programs, homeownership benefits and the steps towards owning a home. Iowa Finance Authority staff will present the information, and housing counselors will also be on hand to answer questions. The event will be hosted by the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Quad City Area REALTOR® Association, 1900 State Street, Bettendorf

COST: Free

REGISTRATION: IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Registration


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Statewide partnerships address affordable housing challenges

 

Des Moines - Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds today proclaimed April 21-27, 2013 as Affordable Housing Week in Iowa. Iowa joins organizations throughout the country in celebrating Affordable Housing Month, with this week declared specifically to bring awareness to the importance of affordable housing in Iowa.

"We've taken great strides to provide affordable housing opportunities for Iowans," said Governor Branstad. "We are committed to making even more progress to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing is available to fit the needs of Iowa's diverse workforce, young professionals and seniors well into the future."

"The Iowa Finance Authority and the hundreds of local housing organizations, lenders, Realtors, service agencies and affordable housing advocates share the mission of advancing affordable housing opportunities for Iowans," said Lt. Governor Reynolds. "This shared dedication is impacting the lives of Iowans across the state every day, in turn making our neighborhoods, communities and state an even better place to call home."

The Iowa Finance Authority recently commissioned a statewide housing study that found many positive aspects of Iowa's housing market including a high homeownership rate, low rate of foreclosures and high affordability of housing. The study also detailed the most critical housing priorities over the next five years as workforce housing, affordable senior housing, accommodating preferences of elderly to age in place and the preservation of affordable multifamily units. The full study, including regional data is available at IowaFinanceAuthority.gov.

"The Iowa Finance Authority fulfills its mission through the partnership of thousands of local housing professionals," said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. "Affordable Housing Week is an ideal time to say thank you for the tireless efforts of our partners and we look forward to working together to ensure Iowans have an affordable place to call home for generations to come."

 

The Iowa Legislature created The Iowa Finance Authority, the state's housing finance agency, in 1975 to undertake programs to assist in the attainment of affordable housing for Iowans. Since then, the Iowa Finance Authority's role has grown to include nearly 40 affordable housing, water quality and community development programs. The Iowa Finance Authority is a self-supporting public agency whose mission is to finance, administer, advance and preserve affordable housing and to promote community and economic development for Iowans.

 

 

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Community-Based Revolving Loan Fund to Support Affordable Housing and Supportive Services for Iowans with Disabilities 

(DES MOINES) - The Branstad/Reynolds Administration today announced a new program that will further the availability of affordable housing for Iowans with disabilities. The Community-Based Revolving Loan Fund program will provide affordable financing for the construction or rehabilitation of supportive housing for individuals with significant barriers to accessing traditional rental opportunities. The program is jointly administered by the Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Community-Based Revolving Loan Fund applicants must receive approval on proposed service plans from the Iowa Department of Human Services before submitting a non-competitive application to the Iowa Finance Authority for affordable construction loans offered at zero to one percent interest, ranging from $50,000-$500,000, subject to availability.

"This new program will provide the affordable financing that developers need to construct specialized affordable housing and supportive services to meet the needs of some of Iowa's most vulnerable citizens," said Governor Branstad. "Affordable housing for all Iowans is central to vibrant communities and a thriving economy and I look forward to seeing the results of this program in action."

"I'm pleased that the affordable housing need for Iowans with disabilities will be supported by this program," said Lt. Governor Reynolds.  "The innovative affordable financing provided through this program will ultimately translate to housing barriers being broken down and Iowans with disabilities being able to thrive in an environment of their choice."   

   

"The Iowa Finance Authority is proud to offer this program to fulfill an important housing need in partnership with the Iowa Department of Human Services," said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. "We look forward to seeing the far-reaching benefits of this program in Iowa communities for generations to come."  

   

"The new Community-Based Revolving Loan Fund will provide eligible Iowans with important community-based housing, a vital benefit that is good for Iowans and our communities," said Iowa Department of Human Services Director Chuck Palmer.  

   

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For more information, please visit www.Governor.Iowa.gov.

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