First Lady Mari Culver Announces I-JOBS Funding For Housing and Shelter Services

$35 Million dollars for affordable, permanent, and temporary housing for Iowans in need, including $10 Million dollars for shelters

DES MOINES, IA – July 9, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Joined by representatives of Iowa’s social services community, First Lady Mari Culver today spoke of I-JOBS funds available for statewide housing and shelter renovation and construction, and encouraged service providers to apply for state assistance. The Public Service Shelter Grant Fund includes $10 million for homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and family and domestic violence shelters.

“Every family deserves a safe place to call home,” said the First Lady. “The I-JOBS initiative can help state and local service providers attend to the needs of some of our most vulnerable neighbors.  She went on to explain that shelters often run on shoestring budgets with little money available for improvements, deferred maintenance or repairs. Because shelters serve such a large population of clients, the shelters suffer much more extensive wear and tear than a single family home.

Applications are due to the Iowa Finance Authority by Wednesday, July 15th. Service providers are encouraged to contact the Iowa Finance Authority at 1 (800) 432-7230. for more information, or on-line www.IowaFinanceAuthority.gov.