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Walker council reviews CDBG‑DR housing progress for two new homes
Summary
At a Sept. 9 public hearing, Walker officials reviewed progress under CDBG‑DR contract #20-DRH-019 for two new single-family homes, reporting $153,772.49 in expenditures to Aug. 31, 2024; one home sold and the other is near completion. The council accepted a small contract amendment to cover delivery costs.
A public hearing at the Walker City Council’s Sept. 9 meeting reviewed the status of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) activities tied to contract #20-DRH-019, which funds construction of two new single-family homes in Walker.
City staff reported the Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded a CDBG‑DR contract of $314,434.00 and that funds were released on July 26, 2023. A pre-construction conference was held March 5, 2024, and construction began in spring 2024. Through Aug. 31, 2024, the project had $153,772.49 invoiced: $100,419.99 for construction expenses, $35,000.00 for down-payment assistance and $18,352.50 for project service delivery.
Clerk/Finance Director Connie Helms said one of the homes (403 or 405 Park Street) is complete and has been sold to an eligible buyer. The other unit is undergoing final painting and punch-list work and is expected to transfer to an eligible buyer in late 2024 or early 2025. The council noted a contract amendment approved June 11, 2024, added $15,136.00 to the budget to help offset increased project delivery costs.
Paula Mitchell (ECICOG, present for the meeting) and city staff answered procedural questions; no members of the public offered comment during the hearing. The clerk closed the hearing at 7:04 p.m.
Why it matters: The CDBG‑DR grant supports recovery housing after disaster events and adds new for-sale housing stock to Walker. The amendment and reported expenditures give the council and residents an updated accounting of progress and remaining work.
What’s next: Staff expects to complete final items on the second home and transfer it to an eligible buyer in late 2024 or early 2025.
