Housing organizations win federal dollars

Two organizations in Iowa were awarded over one million dollars today forrural housing and economic development. The U-S Housing and UrbanDevelopment Agency gave 600-thousand dollars to the Iowa Finance Authorityin Des Moines and 500-thousand to the MidAmerica Housing partnership inCedar Rapids. The Iowa Finance Authority will use the money to developaffordable housing in rural areas. MidAmerica Housing will build 120affordable housing units over the next three years, and will also create apool of funds for rural housing in 17 eastern Iowa counties. Congressman JimLeach participated in today’s announcement. MidAmerican Housing will helpresidents of Leach’s first district.