Housing Committee presents to the Atlantic City Council

(Atlantic) The Atlantic City Council was given a presentation by the Housing Committee at Wednesday’s meeting.

During the April 7, 2021 Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution which approved the application and matching funds for the Rural Housing Assessment Grant. This program provided funds for the housing assessment data collection and the Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Rural Housing Assessment Readiness Workshop. A Committee was also established and that committee met on several occasions, most of them instructed by Iowa State’s professional staff.

Former Second Ward Councilwoman Kathy Somers is the Committee Chair. Somers said through their series of meetings they learned that Atlantic’s median household income is $41,542 and at 30% of a monthly budget, the cost of an “affordable” unit would be $1,308. So, they had to discuss how they can meet housing needs if that is too much. They also discussed pros and cons of building new housing vs rehab, infill housing, types of housing and code enforcement options.

Somers said they had 700 participants in their housing survey.

Somers said another meeting focused on what specific actions they can take to achieve their housing goals. Work groups were established based on the following topics: Land, Infill Lots, Builders, Rehab and City.

Christina Bateman chairs the Land Subcommittee…

Bailey Smith leads the Infill group…

Rylea Anderson is leading the Rehab Program…

Somers provided a list of things that City could do to help address these housing needs. She noted that as a result of doing this whole process, the City qualifies for a $10,000 grant to use toward the housing effort.