Dear Affordable Housing Advocate,

While the pandemic raged on, we ended the year of 2021 and sprung into 2022 knowing that some normalcy has occurred.  And as happens with many crises, we realized opportunity.  The opportunity for affordable housing in Iowa came to the forefront of many city and government discussions and the Iowa Housing Partnership was there for those discussions. 

The year started off with a bang, in January of 2021, Governor Reynolds addressed the need of more affordable housing for Iowans in the State of the State address and announced an aggressive legislative agenda during the 2021 session.  The Governor’s 2021 housing omnibus bill aimed at increasing affordable housing investments by $230 million over the next five years.  What an exciting time to be involved with affordable housing in the state of Iowa.  

Some of the highlights of 2021, which the Iowa Housing Partnership assisted:

• Helped get an increase of the Iowa Workforce Housing Credits from an annual allocation of $25,000,000 to $40,000,000.
• Helped get an increase of the annual allocation of money to housing trust funds, doubled.
• Urged the state to pursue, which they did, $50,000,000 of LIHTC Disaster credits, due to the 2020 Derecho.
• Urged the state to pursue, which they did, $100,000,000 of the American Rescue Plan Act money for affordable housing.
  • This was the first time a state in the Midwest committed to making housing a priority using these funds, and many other states have started to follow suit.  This is a once in a generation opportunity to fundamentally affect affordable housing in our state.
• Conducted numerous listening sessions around the state with concerned citizens about affordable housing.

We are truly a partnership, and these successes would not be possible without the efforts of our lobbyist, The Rafferty Group; the close relationship with the Iowa Finance Authority and their leader, Debi Durham; and our Iowa Housing Partnership board members, who continue to offer of their time, and advice.  Finally, the Iowa Housing Partnership would not be who we are without you, individuals who care about making a difference in the lives of all Iowans.

When I talk to affordable housing people in other states, and speak about what we helped get done, the response is one of amazement.  We have been part of a fundamental change towards affordable housing in Iowa.    While exciting, like many things in our industry, we cannot rest on our laurels.

I made a challenge to the Board of Directors, and the Iowa Finance Authority once, and this challenge was this: 

When people want to know which state does affordable housing right, they look to Iowa.

To do this, we need your support, we need your continued membership in the Iowa Housing Partnership.  Attached you will find a 2022 membership renewal form.  The Iowa Housing Partnership needs to continue to grow, and to grow, we need your help.

Dan Garrett

Chair, Iowa Housing Partnership