Hunter
09/10/22
Iowa City’s City Council has made affordable housing priority one in their latest five-year strategic plan.
The updated plan, posted on the city’s website, says that the strategic plan “intends to foster a more inclusive, just and sustainable Iowa City by prioritizing the physical, mental and economic well-being of all residents.”
The Daily Iowan reports that the council has been refining the plan over the last six months, and rating each item on a scale of 1 to 15. Affordable housing got the highest score of all the items, with a 12.4.
The council plans to leverage its borrowing power to invest in affordable housing, along with grants from Tax Increment Financing, and contributions towards the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County. They also plan to include off-campus student housing as part of the affordable housing initiative.
Other parts of the strategic plan on the city’s website include leadership in climate action, social justice, racial equality, human rights, investment in public infrastructure, facilities and fiscal reserves, and a strengthening of community engagement.