NEICAC operates four Affordable Housing complexes. The NEICAC Calmar Apartments is a 12-unit multi-family complex. In Decorah we have a 16-unit senior apartment complex, named Washington Court. Our next project was the Woolen Mill Apartments.

All the projects were completed with a collaboration of partners varying from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED), Iowa Finance Authority (IFA), Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), Hawkeye REC, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors, City of Decorah, Decorah Bank and Trust, Bank of the West, and Habitat for Humanity. Each property maintains full occupancy with waiting lists.

NEICAC has completed our 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th projects termed our Lease Purchase Affordable Housing Program, and we have begun grant applications for our 9th project which is called Phase V of this Lease Purchase Homing Program. Our 5th - 8th projects; Phases I - IV of the Lease Purchase Homes Program built 15 affordable homes in these NE Iowa Communities: Cresco (6), West Union (2), Postville, Lawler, Tripoli (2), Volga, Garnavillo and Oelwein. Of these first 15 homes, 8 have been sold and 7 more are currently being leased for purchase to income qualifying families. All of our Lease - Purchase homes are currently occupied.

All of these program’s homes have 3 bedrooms and are rented for 1-3 years by a first-time homebuyer who meets the program’s income guidelines. Then after completing the required Homebuyer Education Classes, the renter family can purchase the home for about half the cost of construction. Phase V is now in the planning stage building 3 more such homes, one in Fayette, Fredericksburg, and Waukon.

Section 8 Rental Assistance is HUD's federally funded program to provide rental assistance to low-income families to secure decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing in a non-discriminatory manner from the private rental market. Click here for more information.

Homeless Assistance is provided through the Emergency Shelter Operating Grant and the Community Services Block Grant. This program provides cash assistance for rent, deposits and utilities. Contact your local Family Service Office for information and application.

Future Development
NEICAC Housing is currently developing housing resources in all seven counties we serve. Our newest endeavor involved creating housing advisory committees in each county. These committee findings will be used to determine what is missing as part of each county's affordable housing scenario. NEICAC's Board of Directors will then evaluate these findings to guide the Housing Program towards its next project.

This has led to Phase V of our Lease Purchase Housing Program with Federal and State Funding now being applied for. If approved this Phase V project will include the construction of three new affordable homes, one in Fayette, Fredericksburg, and Waukon. These homes are on schedule to be completed in May of 2013 and ready for occupancy on June 1, 2013. Rent will be $450 plus utilities for these three bedroom homes.

Related Links:

Iowa Finance Authority
USDA Rural Development
Iowa Department of Economic Development
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines