Housing and Equity in Iowa City

Rising income inequality can lead to inequitable access to housing because fewer low and middle income residents can afford the market rate prices. In Iowa City, this is driven by the demand from students wishing to live near UI campus. This area of increased renter demand has been dubbed, the University Impact Area. The City of Iowa City’s strategic plan has the stated goal of creating becoming more inclusive, and the comprehensive plan envisions diverse and affordable housing in all neighborhoods—old and new. In anticipation of greater income inequality, the City asked for an investigation to examine trends of housing inequality in the community and develop recommendations that will help the City in its neighborhood stabilization efforts and achieve its goal to maintain healthy neighborhoods that appeal to diverse populations. The report has three components: a historic narrative of housing in Iowa City, a collection of Iowa City stakeholder perspectives, and a series strategies from comparable and innovative cities.