Representatives from Region XII Council of Governments, Homes for Iowa and other state agencies met virtually Wednesday for a tour of the first home placed in Iowa that was built by prisoners. The Homes for Iowa initiative began two years ago as a partnership among numerous entities as a potential solution to Iowa’s rural housing shortage. It was structured much like a similar program in South Dakota, teaching inmates marketable skills while building affordable homes. Region XII Executive Director, Rick Hunsaker, says the homes, like this one in Jefferson, are built and delivered to areas in need of housing for a reasonable price.
The 1,200 sq. ft. home at 606 N. Cedar St. features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage. This address, Hunsaker, says will be historic.
He adds building a new single-family home in rural Iowa is very difficult to do for less than $200,000. The showcase home in Jefferson includes several features not included in the standard Homes for Iowa blueprints, so the final price could be reduced significantly to fit developer, homebuyer or community needs. Hunsaker says this program focuses on low- to moderate-income families.
Not only does the program help Iowans become homeowners and communities add to their property tax base, Iowa Prison Industries (IPI) Director, Dan Clark, says Homes for Iowa greatly benefits ex-offenders as they return to society.
Ten more homes are expected to be assembled at Newton Correctional Facility and delivered throughout Iowa by the end of the year with another 36 homes predicted for 2021. Links to the virtual tour of the house in Jefferson and more information about Homes for Iowa can be found included below.
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Click HERE for the virtual tour
https://www.homesforia.com/
