OTTUMWA —
In an effort to gather input on current housing programs and needs, the Iowa Finance Authority has begun a statewide housing study, and that includes a chance for Ottumwans to offer their thoughts next week.
RDG Planning and Design has partnered with the Iowa Finance Authority to collect the community’s opinions on the area’s housing programs and needs. A public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Bridge View Center for an informal discussion with the RDA meeting facilitator. It is one of eight meetings being held in regions throughout the state.
Ashley Jared, communications director for the Iowa Finance Authority, says it has been five years since a survey was done, so this is the perfect time to be in touch with local residents before taking a look at current and future programs.
“It had been a while (since a survey had been done), and we want to know if we’re currently fulfilling needs or not,” Jared said. “A lot has happened since 2007 — floods, change in economy — so this will be part of our internal strategic planning process.”
Next Monday’s public meeting will be a roundtable discussion and is open to anyone from the community who wants to share their opinions and experiences with the local housing market. Those attending will be able to talk about the topics important in the area and will have the opportunity to have questions answered by RDG’s Marty Shukert, who has led the meetings in the five previous regions.
“Most importantly, we want to find out where the gaps are,” said Lorin Ditzler, city planner for RDG. “Maybe there are certain types of housing that aren’t being provided, or certain price points, or there are problems with finding affordable housing. That’s what we want to know.”
Earlier in the day, RDG will conduct two focus groups. The first will be with public and nonprofit sector housing professionals, including cities, counties and nonprofit housing organizations. The second one will be with private sector housing professionals, such as developers, bankers and realtors.
An online survey has also been made available to gather additional information. Jared says the public is encouraged to fill out the survey questions, which range from rating current housing and its availability to describing conditions of housing in the area.
“It’s for people who can’t make it to the public meeting or it is too far out of their area,” Jared said. “It takes about 10 minutes to go through, and it asks questions about their experience with housing, where the needs are, if it’s adequate or not adequate.”
Ditzler stressed the importance of the community sharing its personal knowledge of the housing market, something an outside observer might not be aware of.
“(The Iowa Finance Authority) needs to know everything it can about the housing market. This will help decide how to best prioritize programs and finances,” Ditzler said.
A draft report from the survey and meeting information will be written after the final meeting, and the Iowa Finance Authority will begin to map out plans for program additions and changes. The report will then be presented at the Statewide Housing Iowa Conference Sept. 5-6. There, Jared said, they will receive additional feedback before a final report is made and released in October.
“There’s no specifics right now,” Jared said. “Time will tell from what we hear. We’ll see what the survey says about where the needs in housing are right now.”
For more information, to submit comments or to take the survey, visit www.rdgusa.com/iowahousing.
RSVP for the housing professional focus groups is required. For more information, email Lorin Ditzler at lditzler@rdgusa.com.
Wapello County
August 14, 2012
Public invited to give opinions on Iowa housing
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