Public Comment Period and Public Meeting Notice for Draft PRO Housing Grant Application

The City of Iowa City is soliciting public comments on a draft application for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) grant. The draft grant application will include information on the proposed use of grant funds which will actively take steps to remove barriers to affordable housing and seek to increase housing production and lower housing costs for families over the long term. The draft application outlines proposed activities, project locations, budgets, and the scope of activities being funded.

The City anticipates requesting $2,000,000 in PRO Housing grant funds to be used through 2030. Copies of the draft grant application are available online at www.icgov.org/actionplan. Copies are also available from the Neighborhood and Development Services Department located at 410 E Washington Street in Iowa City and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 5 P.M. The draft application will be made available to the public for review electronically or via U.S. Mail. Please submit your request by U.S. Mail to the Neighborhood Services Department, City of Iowa City, 410 East Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, or by email to sturnbull@iowa-city.org. Additional information is available by calling 319-356-5237 or emailing sturnbull@iowa-city.org. Comments may be submitted in writing to the Neighborhood and Development Services Department at the address above or by email to sturnbull@iowa-city.org.

A 15-day public comment period will begin with the publication of this notice and end on October 1, 2024. The City Council will hold a public meeting, accept comments, and consider approval of Iowa City's PRO Housing grant application on October 1, 2024. The meeting will be held at Emma Harvat Hall located at 410 E Washington Street at 6:00 p.m. For meeting information, visit www.icgov.org/councildocs. If you require special accommodations or language translation please contact Sam Turnbull at 319-356-5237 or sturnbull@iowa-City.org at least five (5) days prior to the meeting.

View the draft PRO Housing Grant Application here. 

Notice of Public Meeting and Public Comment Period

The City of Iowa City is soliciting public comments on an amendment to the City’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FFY23) Annual Action Plan. City Council will hold a public meeting, accept comments, and consider approval of the amendment on November 4, 2024. The meeting will be held in Emma Harvat Hall located at 410 E Washington Street at 6:00 p.m. For meeting information, visit www.icgov.org/councildocs. If you require special accommodations or language translation, please contact Brianna Thul at 319-356-5240 or bthul@iowa-city.org at least five (5) days prior to the meeting.

The Annual Action Plan outlines proposed activities, project locations, budgets and the scope of activities being funded with federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds for housing, jobs and services for low-moderate income persons. The proposed amendment reallocates $310,000 of HOME funding to The Housing Fellowship to acquire two affordable rental units for households with income below 60% AMI. Funds were previously allocated to two projects that proceeded without federal investment. The proposed amendment also programs $300,000 of unanticipated CDBG program income to continue the city’s GreenState and Hills Downpayment Assistance Program. The funding would assist up to 12 additional households below 80% AMI with affordable homeownership in Iowa City. 

A copy of the draft amendment is available in accordance with the City’s adopted Citizen Participation Plan online at www.icgov.org/actionplan. Copies are also available from the Neighborhood and Development Services Department located at 410 E Washington Street in Iowa City and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 5 P.M. The plan will be made available to the public for review electronically or via U.S. Mail.  Please submit your request by U.S. Mail to the Neighborhood Services Department, City of Iowa City, 410 East Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, or by email to bthul@iowa-city.org. Additional information is available by calling 319-356-5240.

Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Office of the City Clerk at 410 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52240 or by email to bthul@iowa-city.org. A public comment period of thirty days will begin October 3, 2024 and end on November 4, 2024. If you require special accommodations or language translation, please contact Brianna Thul at 319-356-5240.

Click here to view the draft amendment to the FY24 Annual Action Plan

The Annual Action Plan describes the federally funded activities of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Programs (HOME), among others, to be undertaken by the City during the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). The plan is a sub-part of Iowa City's Consolidated Plan titled, City Steps.

• FY25 Annual Action Plan - approved by City Council 6/18/24
• FY24 Annual Action Plan - approved by City Council 5/2/23

This five-year plan guides the allocation of funding for housing, jobs and services for low-to-moderate income persons.

• City Steps 2025 (2021-2025 Consolidated Plan) As Amended - Effective July 1, 2020 to June 30. 2025 - approved 1/7/20
  • Substantial Amendment #1 - approved 5/5/2020
  • Substantial Amendment #2 - approved 6/21/22

A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development required report that describes the federally funded activities and accomplishments.

• FY2024 CAPER - HCDC approved 9/16/2024
• FY2023 CAPER - HCDC approved 9/21/2023
• FY2022 CAPER - HCDC approved 9/15/2022
• FY2021 CAPER - HCDC approved 9/16/2021

Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Certification

The HOME program requires the City of Iowa City to set aside funds for specific activities to be undertaken by a special type of nonprofit called a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). A CHDO is a private nonprofit, community-based organization that has staff with the capacity to develop affordable housing for the community it serves. In order to qualify for designation as a CHDO, the organization must meet certain requirements pertaining to their legal status, organizational structure, and capacity and experience. Applicants must be a certified CHDO to receive CHDO funds. Annual CHDO certification submissions are due by March 31 annually. 

CHDO Certification

Comments regarding environmental reviews can be directed to Brianna Thul at bthul@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5240.

• FY25 Public Facility Improvements - Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County  posted 6/21/24
• FY25 Neighborhood Improvements (Tier 1) - City of Iowa City  posted 6/21/24
• FY25 CDBG Rehab Program (Tier 1) - City of Iowa City  posted 6/21/24
• FY25 HOME Rehab Program (Tier 1) - City of Iowa City  posted 6/21/24
• FY25 Rental Acquisition (Tier 1) - The Housing Fellowship  posted 6/21/24