The National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals has named Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Community and Economic Development unit the 2025 National Winner of the Excellence in Community Development award for its Rural Housing Readiness Assessment program. Since 2020, the program has helped more than 60 Iowa communities assess their housing needs and take action, generating more than 132-million dollars in investment, with another 104-million dollars in development.
In 2023, the City of Eldora was selected to participate in the RHRA program, while Hampton and Iowa Falls are currently in the program. All three cities received Empower Rural Iowa Grants to help pay for the work.
The RHRA program helps communities understand their housing challenges and create practical solutions. The results include new housing construction, second story apartment conversions, zoning changes, home repairs, downtown revitalization and creative tax incentives.
