New Service to Link Renters with Available Units

Des Moines - A unique new rental housing locator service, IowaHousingSearch.org is now available for Iowa landlords to list units at no cost. The web site is supported by a toll-free call center and is designed to give renters, landlords, housing professionals and social service providers access to detailed information about real-time rental housing vacancies. The service will launch for public use in January.

IowaHousingSearch.org offers all Iowa landlords, including those with critically needed affordable, accessible and special-needs housing, a free way to advertise properties while helping renters easily find units to fit specific needs. IowaHousingSearch.org will also be a vital tool during times of emergency, providing up-to-date housing information for displaced disaster victims and assistance organizations.

"Iowa has approximately 330,000 rental units," said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. "The IowaHousingSearch.org site will provide a critical link between thousands of rental units and Iowans looking for them. I encourage all rental property providers to list their rental units on IowaHousingSearch.org as soon as possible."

IowaHousingSearch.org offers landlords 24-hour access to managing, adding and updating property listings. Detailed listings let landlords highlight amenities and special features, and landlords can use the property search feature to make neighborhood and pricing comparisons. Listings can include pictures, maps and extensive information about accessibility features and nearby amenities such as parks, schools and hospitals.

To begin listing on IowaHousingSearch.org, Iowa property providers can register online at IowaHousingSearch.org or by phone at 1.877.428.8844.

For more information, visit IowaHousingSearch.org or call 1.877.428.8844 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Central Time) to speak with a representative. The service is funded by the Iowa Finance Authority.

The Iowa Legislature created The Iowa Finance Authority, the state's housing finance agency, in 1975 to undertake programs to assist in the attainment of housing for low and moderate-income Iowans.

6th annual HousingIowa awards honor outstanding housing initiatives throughout Iowa

(Des Moines, Iowa) - Three outstanding Iowa housing initiatives and two individuals from throughout the state were recently recognized with HousingIowa Awards at the 2013 HousingIowa Conference, presented by the Iowa Finance Authority in Coralville.

The HousingIowa Awards recognize outstanding programs, projects and people for their leadership and innovation in advancing affordable housing development in Iowa. The four categories include : Multifamily, Single-Family, Special Needs and Legislative Friend of Housing Award.

In addition to the HousingIowa Awards, the Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award was awarded, founded in 2008 when the state of Iowa lost an exceptional community development advocate with the passing of Kay Anderson. A resident of LeMars and long-time member of the IFA Board of Directors, Kay is remembered for her kindness to others and commitment to the success of programs that helped make Iowa a better place. This award recognizes an individual who encompasses Kay's outstanding qualities.

An independent panel of judges deemed the following 2013 HousingIowa Award winners:

Multifamily Development

Crestview Terrace Apartments, Community Housing Initiatives

Contact: Sam Erickson, COO, Community Housing Initiatives: 515.262.5965

Single-Family Development

Providing Assistance for Teachers Housing, Southern Iowa COG Housing Trust Fund

Contact: Timothy Ostroski, Executive Director, Southern Iowa COG Housing Trust Fund: 641.782.8491

Special Needs Development

Central Iowa Shelter and Services Homeless Opportunity Center

Contact: Tony Timm, Executive Director, Central Iowa Shelter and Services: 515.284.5719

Legislative Friend of Housing Award

Senator Robert Dvorsky, Iowa State Senate

Contact: Senator Robert Dvorsky: 319.351.0988

6^th Annual Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award

Susan McGuire, Center for Siouxland

Contact: Susan McGuire: 712.252.1861

More information about the HousingIowa Conference is available at www.IFAMeetings.com

The Iowa Legislature created The Iowa Finance Authority, the state's housing finance agency, in 1975 to

undertake programs to assist in the attainment of housing for low- and moderate-income Iowans. Since then, the Iowa Finance Authority's role has grown to include nearly 50 affordable housing and water quality programs. The Iowa Finance Authority is a self-supporting public agency whose mission is to finance, administer, advance and preserve affordable housing and to promote community and economic development for Iowans.

Under Construction Social Media Contest Offers $2,500 Prize

DAVENPORT - The Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of Realtors®, Iowa Home Ownership Education Project and the Iowa Mortgage Association have teamed up with Davenport area lenders and Realtors® to promote The Meaning of Homeownership: Under Construction Contest, while celebrating high regional home sales. This joint effort between lenders and Realtors® highlights the high Davenport area home sale trends, including a thirty-three percent increase in homes sales over last year and offers Davenport area residents a chance at winning a $2,500 gift card.

"This contest is a fun way to raise awareness of the benefits of homeownership throughout the summer," said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. "We're excited to be offering this summer contest in partnership with Cedar Rapids area lenders and Realtors® and take advantage of this opportunity to educate Iowans about the homeownership programs that the Iowa Finance Authority offers."

"The Iowa Association of Realtors® nearly 6,200 Realtor® members across the state are professionals who follow a strict code of ethical guidelines, and help people realize their homeowning dreams every day in communities throughout Iowa. IAR is pleased to participate in this contest, which is an innovative and exciting opportunity to interact with Iowans and remind them of the many benefits of homeownership," said Dave Bert, CEO of the Iowa Association of Realtors®.

The social media contest asks Iowa mortgage lenders, housing counselors and Realtors® asking their clients to show-off do-it-yourself home projects. Participants will write a short phrase or word on a memo board and snap a photo for the entry. The contestant with the most votes in the Facebook contest will win a $2,500 gift card. Cedar Rapids area residents are encouraged to visit a participating contest location for their chance to win. A full list of current contest locations is available at IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Contest<http://www.iowafinanceauthority.gov/contest>.

"The real estate market in the Quad Cities is doing very well," said Eugene Holst of the Quad City Area Realtor® Association. "We have seen an outstanding thirty-three percent increase in home sales this May over May of 2012. "We're excited to have Quad Cities Realtors®, lenders and housing counselors participate in this fun contest to get home buyers motivated to get out and see what is on the market."

Contest entries will be voted on by the public August 1-16 at Facebook.com/MeaningofHomeownership <http://www.facebook.com/meaningofhomeownership>. The entry with the most votes will receive a $2,500 gift card and the lender and Realtor® with the most combined votes will each receive a $2,500 community betterment grant.

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Education Series offered by the Iowa Finance Authority,
Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project

QUAD CITIES - On Wednesday, June 5 the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of REALTORS® and the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project are partnering to bring Quad Cities area home buyers a free educational session.

One in a series of seminars entitled, Free Home Buyer Education Series: Unique Iowa Programs & Information to Get You Started, the program will provide information on state mortgage and down payment assistance programs, homeownership benefits and the steps towards owning a home. Iowa Finance Authority staff will present the information, and housing counselors will also be on hand to answer questions. The event will be hosted by the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Quad City Area REALTOR® Association, 1900 State Street, Bettendorf

COST: Free

REGISTRATION: IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Registration

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