In the spring of 2017, a group of affordable housing advocates got together and asked the question, “Does Iowa need an Affordable Housing Advocacy Group?” The answer was a universal and resounding, “Yes!” A forum was held in Cedar Rapids in September of that year, to address issues surrounding affordable housing in Iowa. While 20 people were expected at the forum, 45 attended. Fast forward to 2018, another housing panel was held, and then 133 affordable housing advocates from across the state of Iowa showed up to listen. And in October 2018, the Iowa Housing Partnership (IHP) formally became a non-profit affordable housing advocacy group.

IHP was made possible, not only by the engagement of passionate advocates for affordable housing, but particularly a group of Charter Members whose initial memberships provided the capital for success. Accordingly, IHP’s trajectory is clearly going up and fast. With a 10 person Board of Directors, the Iowa Housing Partnership is poised to be a significant resources and advocacy group.