FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 09/06/2023 Contact: Tracy Hightshoe, Neighborhood & Development Services Director Phone: 319-356-5244
Construction set to begin on Student Built Affordable Housing project in the City’s Historic Northside Neighborhood
Elevation provided by C-Wise Design and Consulting
The Housing Fellowship (THF), with the help of student builders, will soon begin construction on a new, single-family home at 724 Ronalds Street in Iowa City. Once completed, this project will provide a two-bedroom, energy efficient home in a historic neighborhood with limited affordable housing options. The program will also provide training for the next generation of skilled home builders. It is hard to envision a project that meets as many of the community's goals as this one.
To make this happen, THF embarked upon a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Iowa City Community School District’s Student Built House Program, the Iowa City Home Builders Association, the City of Iowa City, and the Vocational Training Council.
THF is a non-profit organization that aims to provide long-term, affordable housing to income-qualified families in the Iowa City urbanized area. Finding opportunities to add new housing stock to existing neighborhoods is not easy to do, as current zoning requirements limit options and building costs can keep conveniently located neighborhoods out of reach for individuals and families with limited incomes.
The home will adhere to historic standards, be energy efficient, and will use high school student trainees as part of their school curriculum. Assuming this project is successful, construction of a second home next door will occur in the next school year to offer further opportunities for the Student Built Home Program. The site was formerly home to a dilapidated, dangerous structure that has since been demolished.
Without the help of its partners, this new venture would not be possible due to construction and land costs, as well as the expenses associated with historic district design requirements and energy efficiency features.
Design has been approved by the City of Iowa City’s Historic Preservation Commission. Construction efforts are scheduled to begin on Sept. 6, 2023, with a second home being built during the 2024-25 school year.
Additional partners involved in this project are Sueppel’s Building and Remodeling, C-Wise Design and Consulting, The Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County, Axiom Consultants, and First Interstate Bank.
Funding for this Student Built Affordable Housing Project is being provided by Iowa City’s Affordable Housing Fund and loans from the Housing Trust Fund and First Interstate Bank. Grant funds and donations are also being sought
