Спикер палаты представителей Айовы Пат Грассли посетил новый жилой комплекс в Уэйверли для обсуждения программы доступного жилья

Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley visited Waverly Sept. 2 to tour a new housing development on Cedar Parkway and discuss the state’s efforts to expand workforce housing. Grassley, along with Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, toured the development with Panther Builders CEO Kevin Fittro. The group discussed how state workforce housing incentives and other development programs can help communities add moderately priced homes. The Cedar Parkway development includes 58 lots, with 24 designated for single-family homes and the remainder for duplexes. The homes are being built in a range of styles and sizes to serve different stages of homeownership, including first-time buyers and families moving out of starter homes. According to Fittro, homes in the development generally range from about $290,000 to $330,000, depending on the design and whether they include a basement. Several homes have already been sold, with additional units available or under construction. The development was made possible in part through Iowa’s workforce housing tax credit, which helps developers adjust pricing to make new construction more attainable in communities experiencing economic and population growth. During the tour, Grassley and Durham also discussed challenges developers face in smaller communities, including the cost of installing streets and utilities, limited housing demand and difficulties securing appraisals for new homes. The conversation also touched on ways the state could improve the workforce housing program, including giving developers additional time when infrastructure must be completed before home construction can begin. Grassley said the availability of housing is closely tied to economic development, as communities need places for workers to live if they want to attract new businesses and allow existing employers to grow. The Cedar Parkway project is one of several workforce housing developments Panther Builders has undertaken in the Cedar Valley.