IA Press Release - Dbq Disability Housing
Tuesday,August1,2006
State of Iowa reaches goal of creating housing
for people with disabilities
Lt. Governor Pederson announces creation or
preservation of 1,000 units
DES MOINES - Lt. Governor Sally Pederson announced today that the state of
Iowa has reached its goal of developing or preserving 1,000 units of housing for
people with disabilities. In February 2003, Governor Vilsack and Lt. Governor
Pederson directed state agencies to address barriers to community living and
established a target to "develop or preserve 1,000 independent living units in
communities across Iowa to ensure that people with disabilities have access to
housing in their communities."
The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA), the state's leading provider of affordable
housing, worked in cooperation with organizations including the Olmstead Real
Choices Consumer Task Force, the Iowa Department of Economic Development
and many federal, state and local housing organizations to meet this goal in less
than three years, one year shy of the original four-year timetable.
"All Iowans deserve safe and decent housing that provides independence and a
sense of personal fulfillment," Lt. Governor Pederson said. "The Governor and I
are committed to bettering our state for the sake of all Iowans, regardless of their
gender, race, income or disability. The creation and preservation of these 1 ,000
units reinforces that commitment."
Over the last three years, IFA implemented changes to several of its housing
programs to spur the creation or preservation of these 1,000 units. Some of
these changes include establishing a special set-aside in the Low-Income
Housing Tax Credit program for developers of affordable housing, changing the
state's first-time homeownership program to accept housing choice vouchers for
homeownership and creating a loan program that provides low-interest money to
help people with disabilities modify their homes to meet their individual needs.
IFA executive director Bret Mills said he is proud of his organization's role in
providing housing for people with disabilities. He said: "The Iowa Finance
Authority manages many programs that provide housing for various populations.
We are especially proud however, of the work we've done and will continue to do
to provide housing for people with disabilities."
Today's announcement came as part of the Lt. Governor's Summit on Housing
for People with Disabilities at which nearly 100 housing providers, supportive
services providers, legislators and people with disabilities came together to
celebrate this milestone and discuss needs for the future and strategies to reach
them.
At today's Summit, the Lt. Governor also recognized several individuals and
organizations for their efforts to develop or preserve independent living units to
ensure people with disabilities have access to housing in their community. Award
recipients included:
Marilyn Belman, Iowa City - In 2004, Marilyn and her husband Larry moved into
a new home constructed with Universal Home Design. Local contractor Ben
Moore of Ben Moore Construction built the bright and open home that Marilyn
can fully access and enjoy, despite disabilities that are a result of a brain tumor
and other illnesses.
University of Iowa College of Law, Clinical Law Program - Clinical law
students have traveled throughout the state, holding face-to-face meetings and
reaching out to individuals with disabilities, their families, service providers and
policy-makers. The students' research has allowed individuals better access to
available resources.
The Des Moines Register -The Des Moines Register worked with the Iowa
Program for Assistive Technology to dramatically increase awareness of
Universal Home Design with a special insert that featured the subject in May
2005. In May 2006, Des Moines Register reporter Reid Forgrave shed even more
light on the benefits of independent living when he wrote a front page story about
Adam Reynolds, a disabled Des Moines man who was moving into his first
apartment.
City of Dubuque Housing Department - Each year, the city's Housing
Department allocates a portion of its funds specifically for accessibility projects.
The city recently worked with the University of Iowa Disability Law Center and a
local developer to incorporate elements of Universal Home Design in the
rehabilitation of a large warehouse into apartments. And the city is currently
working with a non-profit corporation to develop rental units specifically for low-
income people with mobility impairments.
Kelly Dinges, Iowa Contractors Network, Des Moines - In 2000, Dinges
started working with the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT) to
develop and train housing contractors. Since that time, she has provided more
than 40 trainings to more than 200 contractors around the state. She has also
worked with IPA T to establish the Iowa Contractors Network, a corps of 110
companies in 84 Iowa communities and five surrounding states.
Burns and Burns, LC, North Liberty - Burns and Burns, LC is an active
developer of affordable rental properties in Dubuque, Ottumwa, Des Moines,
Fairfield, Iowa City, Muscatine, Cedar Rapids, Mason City and Bellevue.
Habitat for Humanity Winneshiek County & Northwest Iowa Community
Action Corporation - These two organizations worked together to build a duplex
for tenants with disabilities. Tenants and their families chose an agency to
provide supportive services, which are funded primarily through the Medicaid
waiver. County case managers will provide service coordination. The tenants
work part-time at local businesses and agencies.