DES MOINES – The Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors recently awarded a total of more than $13.2 million in federal housing tax credits to support the construction of 699 rental homes for Iowans. The eighteen rental housing projects are located in Boone, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Council Bluffs, DeWitt, Grinnell, Johnston, Marion, Marshalltown, Shenandoah and West Des Moines.

“Housing is a leading driver of upward economic mobility for families and economic growth for our communities,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham. “The tax credit awards announced today will provide hundreds of Iowa families and seniors with homes in which they can thrive.”

“Today’s announcement will bring two new housing projects and nearly 90 affordable rental homes to our community,” said Grinnell Mayor Dan Agnew. “Like many communities, Grinnell faces a housing shortage for our workforce and this investment means that dozens of families will now be able to access new housing options right here within our community.”

The Internal Revenue Service makes an annual per capita allocation of federal tax credits to each state for the Federal Housing Tax Credit program. The Iowa Finance Authority is charged with allocating those credits to affordable housing developers. The developers who receive tax credits sell them to investors to generate equity for the housing developments.

The Iowa Finance Authority received 34 applications requesting nearly $25 million in housing tax credits in the 2021 tax credit round. IFA had a total of approximately $13.25 million available to allocate, including an allocation of more than $4 million targeted to the 12 counties impacted by the August 2020 derecho, made available through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

The actual awards exceed $132 million because the credits are committed annually for a 10-year period.

Locally the project in Council Bluffs is for 58 new construction affordable units for Seniors 55+ at Graceview Courtyard Phase II on College Road. The credit for that project is $840,000. In Shenandoah the project is Shenandoah Senior Villas for 38 new construction affordable units for Seniors 55+ at 1401 W. Sheridan Avenue. The tax credit for that project is $747,768.

Two disoriented people floating on the East Nishnabotna River had to be assisted by Montgomery County first responders on Tuesday night.

A 9-1-1 call came in around 8:20 p.m. from two individuals that were not from the area and disoriented with their location. Emergency services located the two people along the river near 137th Street. They were guided to safety and no injuries were involved.

The Red Oak Fire Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Montgomery County Emergency Management assisted at the scene. The Midwest Regional Dive Team also responded to the incident along with some private citizens with air boats helping in the search.

The Audubon County Roads Department says Lark Avenue between 140th and 150th Street will be closed to thru traffic starting at approximately 1:00 p.m. Wednesday for a crane crossing the roadway. The delay will take around 3 to 4 hours and the contractor will have traffic control and flaggers working during the crossing.

The Creston Police Department reports three arrests on Tuesday, September 28th.

At 5:30 p.m. Officers arrested 42-year-old Sheri Jo Watters of Creston at 300 E Montgomery Street for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Disorderly Conduct. Watters was booked into the Adams County Jail.

At 8:03 p.m. Creston Police arrested 41-year-old Bart Douglas Dunkerson of Creston on a Union County Warrant for Criminal Mischief 5th Degree, Interference with Official Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st Offense. Dunkerson was held in the Union County Jail on no bond until seen by a Magistrate.

At 10:09 p.m. Officers arrested 28-year-old Brandon Scott Lawrence of Creston at 600 Sheldon Street on a charge of 5th Degree Theft. He was cited and released on scene on a promise to appear.