Johnson family donates lots to city of Elkader to support housing

By Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns | Times-Register

The Johnson family, along with representatives from the city of Elkader and economic development committee, recently met at Elkader City Hall to take a photo and recognize the recent donation of property to the city.

Eleven lots in Elkader’s Breezy Summit Subdivision, owned by Alan and Georgina Johnson, Greg Johnson and Kristine Feist, were donated to the city of Elkader for residential development. A certified appraisal valued the property at $213,000.

Alan and Georgina Johnson were joined by Elkader City Council Member Tony Hauber, City Administrator Jennifer Cowsert, Elkader Economic Development Coordinator Maggie Sommers and Economic Vitality Committee member Bruce Landis, who all expressed gratitude for the donation and the family’s investment in the community’s future.

The property had been listed for $150,000 when the city council passed a resolution to purchase it at the asking price. After further consideration, the Johnsons felt it was in the best interest of the city to donate the property so funds could instead be used for other city projects.

Alan Johnson, who was born and raised in Elkader, shared that the donation was motivated by the local need for housing. The family hopes the land donation will help support that need.

“It feels good to make the donation,” Johnson said. “We hope it encourages others to help contribute as well.”

Elkader has not seen an increase in population in the last three decades, a trend often attributed to the limited availability of housing. Hauber noted that only four or five new homes have been built in the last eight years.

“New housing is the key to unlocking things like an increased population, growing tax base, high enrollment rates at the local school, a larger workforce and more shoppers for local businesses,” he added.

At the Oct. 27 meeting, the city council approved a process for selling the lots. According to the purpose statement included in the application documents, the city’s objective is to sustain and increase population by expanding local housing options. This need has been identified by community leaders through goal development and a Rural Housing Readiness Assessment.

Proposals must include: applicant contact information, proof of financing, project descriptions and timelines, estimated project cost, estimated assessed value and proposed resale price if applicable.

Priority will be given to projects that are single-family or duplex proposals, begin construction within 24 months and are completed within three years, demonstrate financial capacity to complete the project or provide affordable housing.

The proposal materials also outline local housing incentives available to prospective home buyers.

Incentives offered by the city of Elkader include:

• Three years of base water and sewer service, a value of $810 per year.
• A three-year rebate on the city portion of property taxes.
• Waived building permit fee, valued at $115 to $130.
• Waived water and sewer tap-on fees, valued at $250 each.

Another option for prospective buyers is applying for the newly established revolving loan fund for new builds in Clayton County through the Clayton County Economic Development Group.

Purchasing through the Homes for Iowa organization is another opportunity. The nonprofit provides affordable pre-built homes constructed by individuals who are incarcerated in Iowa. Five of the 11 lots are suitable for Homes for Iowa or other affordable housing programs.

“With all the different incentives and programs available right now, the timing is really good to build in Elkader,” Hauber noted.

The development of the lots would not only increase the community’s tax revenue, but likely bring new families to Elkader, contributing to the local workforce and supporting economic growth.

The city has begun promoting the opportunity through press releases and social media, outreach through the housing committee and local partners including Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission and Clayton County Development Group.

Future promotion will include reaching out to local builders and developers, a potential public forum and sharing information at the Rural Housing Summit in January.

Interested individuals can find details about the lots and the proposal process on the city’s website.