The Johnson County Board of Supervisors recently purchased a 15-unit property for $1.7 million to be used for affordable housing units. Located at 1102 Hollywood Boulevard in Iowa City, these homes offer newly renovated, two-bedroom, one-bathroom, partially furnished, two-story townhomes and will be available for occupancy after a series of energy-efficient upgrades.
Jon Green, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors, expressed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts behind the recent property acquisition, stating "Johnson County has been investing in affordable housing for decades, and this purchase opens a new chapter with the County directly owning housing stock.” Green played a key role in seeing the acquisition through, collaborating with several County staff and partners in the private sector to see it come to fruition. “I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support and ambition and to all involved who helped put this deal together. In the coming months, we will be busy developing our plan to get folks housed in high-quality accommodations that are both dignified and affordable. The people of Johnson County deserve no less.”
This purchase is part of a series of initiatives by Johnson County to address affordable housing needs after seeing a record number of evictions in 2022 and 2023. Johnson County is currently the fastest-growing county in Iowa, with a population increase of over 38% since 2000.
With the help of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Johnson County has invested over $4.3 million in housing-related programs and services in fiscal year 2024, an increase of about 215% since 2020. This includes putting $1.8 million of ARPA funds into the General Assistance Program, which provides emergency rent and utility assistance.
An additional $337,500 of ARPA funding has aided in the expansion of the Eviction Diversion Program, a collaborative initiative with the City of Iowa City, Iowa Legal Aid, Shelter House, and the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition, offering mediation services, rent assistance, and legal guidance during eviction hearings. Since its expansion, the program has successfully intervened in nearly 50 cases, preventing the eviction of dozens of families across Johnson County.
Other efforts made by the County include funding for transitional housing and emergency sheltering to mitigate the lack of affordable housing available and the dangers faced by unhoused community members during harsh weather. Over $2.6 million was allocated in FY ’24 for expanding housing stock, housing rehabilitation, and emergency repair funds.
For more information on affordable housing efforts in Johnson County, please contact Lynette Jacoby, Social Services Director, at [email protected].