Going For Green

The Magazine of the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) Rural Voices featured the article "Going For Green". Rural Voices contacted me about writing to HAC depicting NEICAC’s affordable green features that make up our Phase III rent to own program and our exceptional "green homes". HAC wanted me to concentrate on the home features that create a higher standard of Indoor Air Quality for affordable housing.

As the construction of this Phase III round of our rent to own homes program was nearing completion I gathered together all 35 plus features that make this home exceptional. Of these 35 special features, about 10 were specifically addressed to create healthy indoor air quality. Indoor air quality means things added to the home that; decrease moisture, improve ventilation, remove or abate toxic materials, improved ventilation, and or address structural defects to improve indoor air quality. These measures help to create healthy living environments for our future homeowners participating in our Rent to Own Housing program.

Please read this article pages 19 - 21 to further your knowledge concerning indoor air quality and what you can do to your home regarding improved indoor air quality. This article was a result of NEICAC Housing’s application to HAC’s Green Fund Capacity Building Grant Program. This program awarded NEICAC their maximum amount of $15,000 in 2009 to assist NEICAC Housing in the construction of 3 rent to own homes that meet the rigid requirements for green design and construction including indoor air quality. Indoor air quality is one of seven elements that make up green housing construction. IDED’s green criteria mandates that all subsidized housing in Iowa meet these requirements in all construction in 2009 and beyond.

Mark Kvammen, Director of Housing

West Union Open House

Here is an inviation to our open house in West Union on Friday, June 11th from 4:00 - 7:00pm and on Saturday, June 12th from 9:00am - 12:00 noon. This open house will feature our "green affordable home" that was just completed in West Union. It was the home that IDED and COSC (Center on Sustainable Communities in Iowa) used as their model for the "affordable green building" training classes that wrapped up in May in West Union. This is the first or second home built in Iowa that meets the rigid "green streets criteria" IDED mandates for all subsidized housing now in Iowa .

If you attend this open house be prepared to learn about the 35+ construction specifics that make this an exceptional, energy efficient home. We have received rave reviews on this project by IDED, IFA, & COSC. The home will have signage placed throughout the home identifying the "green aspects" that are unique to this green construction and that will become common place in the years to come across America to keep utility costs down for all Americans not just the income impaired. Hope to see you at this special event and be prepared to learn about: super efficient whole house HVAC systems, energy star rated appliances and lighting, rain barrels and rain gardens, state of the art insulation, the TED (the electronic device) which allows a family to monitor its energy consumption as its being used in either one appliance or whole house usage at once.

NEICAC's Humpal receives Tyson Award

Mary Ann Humpal, executive director of Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation based in Decorah, has received the highest honor presented by the Iowa Community Action Association (ICAA).

July 15, 2009, the ICAA presented Humpal with the Robert F. Tyson Memorial award.

The award is given annually to an individual who not only carries the message of community action throughout the state but champions the many programs operated under the umbrellas of the 18 community action agencies in the state.

Robert Tyson started his service in community action in 1969 as director of the Office of Planning and Programming under Gov. Robert D. Ray and continued to serve in various positions in state government, always as an advocate and a friend of community action and the low-income families of Iowa until his death in June 1985.

The ICAA Board of Directors selected Humpal based on her "unending and relentless support of the entire community action network and the families we serve". The awards ceremony had emotional moments as many of her own staff and other agency directors reflected on the difference she has made not only to the community action network but also in their own individual successes.

Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund was recently certified as an official entity by the State of Iowa on 11⁄12⁄09. Funding was secured for these counties: Allamakee, Clayton, Howard and Winneshiek and is to be used for the rehabilitation and renovation of single-family and multi-family owner occupied and rental dwellings occupied by low-moderate incomme residents of these four counties. For more information, follow the link to Upper Exploreland Regional Planning Commission

Congratulations to our Transit Program for recently receiving an Award of Achievement from the Federal Transit Administration.More information

NEICAC is offering Homebuyer Education Classes for anyone interested in learning more about homeownership. All workshops are held at the NEICAC office at 305 Montgomery St., Decorah, IA. You must pre-register and get pre-screened for the class by calling Mark at 563-382-8436 ext 151. The cost is $25 per household. More information

NEICAC Housing program is currently taking applications for the Homeowners program. To apply, go to your nearest NEICAC Family Service Office. Requirements are a stable rental and employment history, having children under the age of 18, a willingness to work with this agency towards home ownership, and an income at or below 60% of the local county's average median income (AMI), which for a family of four in most of our seven service county area is $32,160.

The Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation Board of Directors meeting is held every 4th Monday of the month at the Fayette County Court House in West Union, Iowa beginning at 6:30 PM.