JANUARY 2017
Community Development Block Grant ( CDBG ) funds will be used to offer low- or no-interest loans to “ microenterprise businesses ” in the corridor . Microenterprise businesses have five or fewer employees . To qualify , the business owner ( s ) must have low to moderate income . The Central Avenue Corridor initiative will take place in three phases : Phase I ( June 2016-March 2017 ): Factfinding community engagement process that entails the development of a comprehensive inventory of businesses , organizations , and residential areas in the CAC . Phase II ( January 2017-July 2017 ): ISUEO team will engage CAC stakeholders in community planning and continue to focus on building local social capital to lay the groundwork for future storefront , retail , and streetscape design efforts . Phase III ( Estimated to begin in January 2018 ): Contingent upon the outcomes and analyses of Phases I and II . CAC stakeholders will participate in visioning , design studios , charrettes , and other design-based community engagement processes related to developing storefront , streetscape , and residential design . The City of Dubuque will work with CAC stakeholders to implement strategies to improve business , social , and economic conditions along the CAC . DOWNTOWN HOUSING INCENTIVE PROGRAM The City of Dubuque Economic Development Department offers incentives for projects that assist in the creation of new , market-rate downtown rental and / or owneroccupied residential units within the Greater Downtown Urban Renewal District . This program , which is limited to rehabilitations of existing structures that create at least two new housing units , can provide up to $ 10,000 in assistance per residential unit . Preference is given to projects that also utilize Federal and / or State Historic Tax Credits .
JANUARY 2017
MARGINAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION The City will acquire 100 dilapidated properties over the next five years and have them renovated and sold for a combination of single-family home ownership and owneroccupied rentals , decreasing neighborhood density and removing blighted conditions while at the same time working to increase and develop affordable , quality rental units throughout the community . HOUSING REHABILITATION & HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS From 2010-2015 , $ 2.8 million was invested to improve 203 properties in the Washington Neighborhood and Bee Branch Project Corridor . From 2016-2021 , an additional $ 3.24 million will be invested to improve 190 properties . Homeowner Rehabilitation Loan Program provides low-interest , long-term loans up to $ 25,000 to income-qualified homeowners who rehabilitate their properties . Home Repair Loan provides loans up to $ 5,000 for home repairs . HOME ( Home Ownership Made Easy ) Workshop is a four-week class that offers information on city programs , keys for spending plans and credit , basic banking and insurance , and home energy efficiency . OATH ( Officer at Home ) Incentive Program was created to make homeownership in the Downtown Urban Renewal District more affordable for police officers and firefighters . First-Time Homebuyer provides $ 5,000 loan to help residents purchase their first home . Households under 30 % area median incomes could be eligible to receive $ 25,000 . Accessibility Rehabilitation Program provides forgivable loans to property owners and homeowners to provide physical accessibility in housing units . Washington Neighborhood Homebuyer Program provides loan assistance for down payment assistance on home purchases in the Washington neighborhood . Loans range from $ 10,000 to $ 25,000 , based on household income . Homeowner Rehabilitation Program provides loans for improvements for : all code violations , deteriorated lead-based paint , weatherization , general remodeling , and access for persons with disabilities . Housing Choice Voucher Home Ownership Program permits participants in the Housing Choice Voucher Program ( assisted housing ), including participants with portable vouchers , the option of purchasing a home with their voucher instead of renting . The HEART ( Housing Education and Rehabilitation Training ) Program provides hands-on learning for young people who have not had success in a traditional classroom , so they may achieve their goals of attaining a high school diploma while learning new skills as they rehabilitate homes and revitalize downtown neighborhoods . Targeted outcomes for the C . H . A . N . G . E . Program include : increased flood protection , increased number of single-family homes , de-concentration of low-income housing , reduction in the number of households in poverty , reduction in number of slum and blight properties , stabilization and increase of property values , increase in quality , affordable housing stock , reduction in lead hazards , and an increase in first-time homeowners . For more information on any of these programs , contact Housing & Community Development Department at ( 563 ) 589-4239 or visit www . cityofdubuque . og / housing . ❖ Editor ’ s note : This article was provided by the City of Dubuque Housing & Community Development Department and compiled by John Moran .
Goals of the C . H . A . N . G . E Program
ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
170
33 60 120 single-family units in existing neighborhoods
multi-family units
assisted senior living units
affordable senior housing units
CLOSE ON
FIRST-TIME
HOMEBUYER 30PURCHASES
300 job opportunities
CREATE
SUPPORT training and education programs for residents
400
CREATE RESILIENCY PLAN for
500 individuals and family members
to sustain themselves and their housing structures
Julien ’ s Journal ❖ 31