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Northeast Iowa Community Action Council reports local aid, transit and housing services in Decorah
Summary
Northeast Iowa Community Action Council CEO Tricia Wilkins briefed the council on programs serving Decorah residents: about $104,000 in direct financial assistance, 21,000 rides provided regionally with Hometown Taxi discounts, and 33 housing units in Decorah of the agency's 56-unit regional portfolio.
Tricia Wilkins, chief executive officer of the Northeast Iowa Community Action Council (NEICAC), updated the Decorah City Council on the agency’s services and local impact during the meeting’s public-comment period.
Wilkins told the council NEICAC receives the largest share of its funding from federal sources, with additional state, local and private support. She said the agency served roughly 400 individuals who live in Decorah and employs 19 local staff members. Wilkins said the figure she cited in the packet — about $104,000 — represents direct financial-assistance dollars and does not include the value of program services such as Head Start, transit operations and other service-delivery expenses.
Wilkins described specific local services: the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provided winter-season heating assistance to 155 Decorah households totaling about $72,000; the agency’s crisis assistance served 49 Decorah households with just over $22,000 in assistance. NEICAC also manages transit services; Wilkins said the agency provided more than 21,000 rides last year and that the city’s arrangement with Hometown Taxi helps extend transit for seniors and people with disabilities and supports the agency’s federal reporting to the Department of Transportation.
On housing, Wilkins said NEICAC operates 56 units across seven counties, with 33 of those units located in Decorah. She also noted the agency recently acquired the Smith Building for its office and plans to pursue a Department of Energy grant to upgrade lighting, along with roof repairs and updated signage. Wilkins said NEICAC leases office space to other local nonprofit partners and is exploring options to continue hosting public-health staff in the building.
Council members thanked Wilkins and asked no substantive policy questions during the presentation.
