Housing Department Awards and Accomplishments
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
September 11, 2000
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Housing Services Department Awards and Accomplishments
Housing Services Manager David Harris is transmitting the 1999-2000 awards and
accomplishments for the Housing Services Department.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/dd
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing Services Manager
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
9 September 00
To: Mike V \Milligen, City Manager
From: David ~ Housing Services Department
The Housing Department is pleased to announce the following awards and accomplishments:
1. The Des Moines Federal Home Loan Bank has awarded us a second grant to fund our PATH:
Pathways Affordable to Homeownership Program, through the Bank's Affordable Housing
Program funding cycle. In partnership with eight area lenders, we applied for $225 000 to
provide downpayment and rehab loans to very low-income homebuyers (earning less than 50%
of area median income. ) We received this amount plus $5000 for administrative costs. This
program will be operational in September; we expect to close 25-30 loans. We will again
partner with the ISU Extension Office to provide financial counseling classes to all applicants.
Total Affordable Housing Program funding received in the last two years, in the amount of
$580000, reflects the Banks's support of the Housing Department's partnership with area
lenders. The $350 000 award received in Fiscal Year 1999 resulted in 38 loans underwritten
by more than $1.9 million in Dubuque private lender funds (see attached graph.)
2. The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) has recognized
our "affirmative customer service" project with a National Award of Merit. This project
included a two-year effort to improve our services, including over 200 "appreciative inquiry"
interviews of community stakeholders and the holding of a Housing Summit and an Action
Conference - attended by about 180 housing and community activists.
This same project was selected by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
as one of 18 Iowa "Best Practices" award winners in 1999.
Attached is a "6-month report" on the activities of the many committees who have continued
this work since the February conference. Many exciting housing and community development
initiatives remain active in planning stages. Among these are a comprehensive plan for the
downtown, a process for promoting new neighborhood associations, a tenants association, a
one-stop shop for information and referral, a campaign to reduce the incidence of vacant and
abandoned houses and a teen-sponsored dance event held on the Town Clock Plaza.
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3. Governor Vilsack has announced the formation of a state-wide Housing Task Force to develop
a housing strategy for Iowa. The task force will evaluate current housing policy and
recommend a comprehensive approach to addressing housing needs across the state. In
recognition of the professional reputation and accomplishments of Dubuque's Housing
Department, the Governor has appointed the Department manager to this task force.
4. In national competition, the Housing Department received a new allocation of Fair Share
housing vouchers, for the Section 8 Program. With this grant, 40 families will receive rental
assistance, and area landlords will benefit by contracting for more than $670 000 in rent
payments over the term of the expected 5-year grant.
5. The Iowa Department of Economic Development has reviewed the Housing Department's
pre-application for the current funding cycle for Local Housing Assistance Program (LHAP)
funds. We have been invited to submit a full application for an innovative project partnership,
which will include demolition oftwo derelict downtown houses and construction of five new
affordable condominium homes.
6. Attached is an excerpted FY2000 Annual Performance Report from the Housing Department,
submitted to IDJD each year at this time. Among the results described is a tabulation of total
housing reinvestment funds channeled through the Department during the fiscal year. Noted
is a public expenditure of $5 million, matched by more than $6.3 million in private and lender
funding. The total, of more than $11 million for the year, is a tribute to the efforts of our staff
and the partnership we have established with area financial institutions, landlords, contractors,
realtors and state and federal funding agencies - all in the interest of promoting reinvestment in
housing in Dubuque.
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