Iowa Stories | Community Development Digest

Waters, Bass Urge California Lawmakers to Quash Evictions

Reps. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Karen Bass (D-CA) this past week fired off a strongly worded letter to the California State Senate President pro Tempore, Kevin de Leon and the Speaker of the California Assembly, Toni Atkins, urging them to support legislation that will impose a moratorium on the Ellis Act, a California law that is increasingly being abused to evict hundreds of veterans, elderly people, and low income families.

read complete story

Redevelopment of Iowa Retirement Community Set to Break Ground

The $9 million project includes construction of a new performing arts center and large-scale renovations to one of its restaurants, the main entryway, living room and commons areas throughout the community.

read complete story

Legislation Moves To Lure Veterans To Iowa

The bill moved quickly after Gov. Terry Branstatd (R) pushed the concept as part of his “Home Base” initiative.

read complete story

Des Moines Moves Forward with Sustainable Design Projects

As part of the initiative, Des Moines will receive assistance to incorporate green infrastructure elements into a streetscape plan for a portion of the city's 6th Avenue corridor.

read complete story

State and Local Briefs

Iowa: The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awards seven communities a combined $3.5 million in CDBG funding. The awards are expected to result in rehabilitation of 144 buildings. Burlington, Charles City, Conrad, Elkader, Emmetsburg, Manning and West Union each receive CDBG funds for maste...

read complete story

DOT Makes Available $100,000 Coop Agreement

The Transportation Department is accepting applications for a cooperative agreement of up to $150,000 from transportation, business and academic groups in five states as part of Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) Program. Eligible groups in the states of Arkansas, Missouri, Minne...

read complete story

State & Local CDBG Briefs

Idaho: City officials in Twin Falls are applying for a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to expand the city's water system. The city wants to be able to handle the water from the new Chobani Greek yogurt plant. Iowa: Officials in Emmetsburg seek state Community Development Block Grant fun...

read complete story

(HOUSE) Latham's Opposition to 2011 HUD Budget Offers Clues to Future Funding Approach

The new House Appropriations transportation & HUD subcommittee chairman wasn't saying how he would approach housing-related issues, but his minority views attached to HUD budget bill that passed the House last summer could provide clues indicating concerns over spending in areas dear to the Obam...

read complete story

(CONGRESS) Reid to Offer New Senate Jobs Bill; Floor Discussion Set

Debate on the Senate jobs bill took an abrupt turn after Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) discarded a bipartisan version with what he says will be a smaller, more streamlined model aimed at improving infrastructure, offering tax incentives to create job growth, boosting small business expansio...

read complete story

(HUD) Dept. Issues $4 billion in Disaster Relief; Offers $311 Million in Extra Disaster Funds

HUD completes allocation of almost $4 billion in disaster relief, portions of the money going toward affordable housing efforts in 11 states suffering damages from natural events in 2008. The move also creates a new $311 million supplement fund for any additional work to meet uncovered disaster need...

read complete story