The city of Washington received $400,00 for a housing rehab pilot program under the state’s Home Rehabilitation Block Grant program.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a total of $4 million in grant awards to assist several Iowa communities, including the city of Washington, in the rehabilitation of a total of 131 owner-occupied and rental homes.
Washington will use the grant funds to rehabilitate a minimum of 12 owner-occupied homes in the area surrounding the downtown business and commercial district.
Funds will be used for exterior and interior repairs that ensure code compliance, extend the useful life of the property, and address health and safety issues and concerns. Activities that improve a home’s energy efficiency may also be conducted. Rehabilitation activities will prioritize exterior repairs that are impactful to the neighborhood, but interior rehabilitation and energy efficiency improvements will also be eligible
The Home Rehabilitation Block Grant Pilot Program was created as a part of Ms. Reynolds’ $100 million investment to increase the supply of housing options and protect and expand housing opportunities for Iowans to live in or near the communities where they work. The funds are made available through the Federal American Rescue Act, state and local fiscal relief funds.
“I’ve been steadfast in my commitment to advancing housing opportunities to ensure that every Iowan can live near their work,” said Gov. Reynolds. “To meet that goal, we must not only build new housing, but we also must preserve our existing housing stock. Today’s investments will give new life to more than 130 aging homes so that Iowa families can be proud to call them home for many years to come.”
Applications for the grants were scored on a competitive basis and included criteria such as housing need, impact, community readiness, public/private partnerships and additional funds leveraged. The projects awarded funding are leveraging $3.3 million in additional funding.
