Ames, IA - Mayor Ted Tedesco

Affordable Housing Programs

Meeting the need for affordable housing for its low- and moderate-income population has been a major focus of CDBG investments in the City of Ames. Among the housing initiatives supported with CDBG funds are:

• •Housing Rehabilitation Programs - Approximately $900,000 in CDBG funds were used over an eight-year period to assist low-income homeowners in bringing their properties up to housing code standards and/or to make their homes handicapped-accessible. Approximately 50 to 75 homeowners with incomes at or below Story County median income limits were provided deferred, forgivable loans of up to $25,000.
• •Acquisition and Remodeling Programs - Since the early 1980s, approximately $800,000 in CDBG funds have been used to acquire, demolish and/or remodel properties or buildings for several different purposes. For an emergency residence project, funds were used to acquire a property and construct a 336-square-foot addition to an existing building. That facility is now being used as a homeless shelter for families and individuals from Ames and Story County. CDBG funds were used to acquire and make handicapped-accessible a facility to be used as an emergency shelter for women and children who are victims of sexual assault or other domestic violence. CDBG funds also have been used to purchase and demolish blighted and deteriorated structures throughout the City, in preparation for selling that land to developers to build decent, safe and affordable multi-family housing units.
• •Down Payment/Closing Cost and Rehabilitation Assistance Programs - Since 1992, approximately $466,000 in CDBG funds have been used to help low-income first-time home buyers purchase homes by providing funds to be used for the down payment, closing costs and/or minor repairs.
• •Acquisition and Demolition of Flood Damaged Properties - Between 1993 and 1995, approximately $825,000 in CDBG funds were used to acquire and demolish properties that were severely damaged or destroyed as a result of the massive flooding which occurred at that time in Ames and many other parts of Iowa.

Contact: Vanessa Baker-Latimer, Housing Coordinator, (515) 239-5400

The United States Conference of Mayors

J. Thomas Cochran, Executive Director
1620 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone (202) 293-7330, FAX (202) 293-2352

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