 Housing Market Analysis: |
 |
Housing Market Analysis: |
|
III B. PUBLIC AND ASSISTED HOUSING
1. Number of Public Housing Units
The Iowa City Housing Authority currently has 101 rental units for qualifying low-income households. Due to the regular maintenance and the relative newness of the units, they are in good condition and are not in need of restoration or revitalization. Between 1996 and the present ICHA has been using Comprehensive Improvement Assistance Program (CIAP) funds to improve its properties. The Housing Authority is not anticipating doing any major improvements within the next year. The PHA does not expect the loss of any units during the next five years.
The ICHA began the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program in 1994. The program is designed to assist Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) participants and Public Housing Tenants in moving to higher income levels and becoming economically self-sufficient. FSS participants build an escrow savings account from rent increases due to higher wages as they work their way toward home ownership.
The ICHA’s Tenant to Ownership Program (TOP) allows public housing families to work towards owning their homes. The ICHA sells homes to very low-income families who have demonstrated economic self-sufficiency. The ICHA has sold six homes since May 1998.
In May 1998 the ICHA created another homeownership program entitled the Affordable Dream Homeownership Program (ADHOP) through which families have the opportunity to buy newly constructed homes. The ICHA reinvested revenue from the sale of homes in the TOP program to fund ADHOP. The program encourages the transition from renting to home ownership. Families do not need to be enrolled in a rental assistance program to apply for ADHOP, but they must have lived in Johnson County for at least one year prior to application. In the first year, ADHOP has sold three homes.
Tenants in the City’s public housing units receive a newsletter each month that provides information on a variety of subjects. It has become an effective vehicle for the Iowa City Housing Authority to share information with tenants and to receive tenant feedback.
Currently there is a waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) and public housing program of approximately 124 households (Nov. 1, 1999). The Public Housing program rents units owned by the City of Iowa City whereas HCVP provides funds for people to look for units in the private market.
Assisted Housing: Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Program
Presently the Assisted Housing Program (administered by the Iowa City Housing Authority) provides rental assistance to 1,171 housing units through two programs: Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) and Public Housing to assist families and individuals that are income eligible (under 50% median income) and meet the definition of a family. Both programs operate at 96-103% occupancy levels. Table III.12 indicates the assistance distributed under the three programs.
Table III.12: Iowa City Assisted Housing By Type
|
Program |
Total |
|
Public Housing |
101 |
|
Section 8 Existing (vouchers) |
1,070 |
|
Total |
1,171 |
HUD-Funded Apartments
A number of other funding sources are used by both for-profit and non-profit entities to provide affordable housing. Table III.13 shows the number of units each project provides and its primary HUD funding sources.
Table III.13: Other Assisted Housing
|
Project |
Population |
Funding Source |
Units |
|
Cedarwood Apts. |
50% median income families |
Sec. 236 |
63 |
|
Pheasant Ridge Apts. |
50% median income families |
Sec. 236 |
248 |
|
Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship |
Households under 60% median income |
CDBG, HOME |
74* |
|
Villa Garden Apts. |
65% median income families |
CDBG |
48* |
|
Autumn Park |
Elderly Housing |
Sec. 202 |
64 |
|
Ecumenical Towers |
Elderly Housing |
Sec. 202 |
81 |
|
Capitol House |
Elderly Housing |
Sec. 202 |
81 |
|
Citizen Building |
Elderly and Persons with Disabilities |
City CDBG State HOME LIHTCs |
18 |
|
Systems Unlimited |
Developmentally Disabled adults |
Sec. 811 |
6 |
|
TOTAL |
683 |
||
*Units also utilize HCVP assistance; these units are included in the numbers shown in Table III.13.
Accessible Units
The Iowa City Housing Authority (ICHA) has 37 accessible units in its inventory. Currently, all of the ICHA's accessible units are occupied. Households receiving HCVP rental assistance, needing accessible units, have utilized the private market (see Section II.B.5).
 |
 |
| Copyright © 2000 Jeonet | |