Report
Increasing affordable housing in Iowa City
University of Iowa Public Policy Center
09/2013
DOI: 10.17077/0r55-3he9
Abstract
In this policy paper, we are taking a fresh look at affordable housing in Iowa City. By affordable, we mean housing that costs 30% or less of an individual’s or household’s total income, regardless of whether the house is owned or rented. For certain demographic groups (such as students
at the University of Iowa) this is usually a temporary situation, and not a barrier to their well-being. However, for adult individuals and households
with children, paying more than 30% of their income in rent or mortgage payments means that they have less to spend on nutritious food, safe
transportation, child care and health care. Unsustainable housing situations can lead to mental and physical health problems, impaired achievement
in school and work, and even homelessness. At the community level, building and operating affordable housing increases spending and employment in the surrounding economy, acts as an important source of revenue for local governments, helps local businesses attract and retain employees, and reduces the likelihood of foreclosure and its associated costs. A shortage of affordable housing diminishes these benefits.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Increasing affordable housing in Iowa City
- Creators
- Sally Scott - University of IowaJerry Anthony - University of IowaSteven Williams - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Report
- DOI
- 10.17077/0r55-3he9
- Publisher
- University of Iowa Public Policy Center; Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Number of pages
- 16 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2013 the authors
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2013
- Academic Unit
- Center for Social Science Innovation; Public Policy Center (Archive); School of Planning and Public Affairs
- Record Identifier
- 9983557257702771
Metrics
203 File views/ downloads
141 Record Views