Iowa Finance Authority Awards $100,000 to Support Creation of Mobile Disaster Response Team
Mobile Response Team to Assist in Marshalltown Disaster Recovery, Future Statewide Disaster Response
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors today awarded $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Iowa to support the creation of a new statewide mobile disaster response team. The team’s efforts will first be focused on assisting with home damage caused by the July 19, 2018 tornado in Marshalltown. They will also be trained to immediately respond to future statewide recovery efforts.
“While we can’t predict when or where a natural disaster may strike, the new mobile disaster response team will be integral to providing a swift response and coordinating efforts to meet the unique needs of impacted communities when it does,” said Iowa Finance Authority Interim Executive Director Carolann Jensen.
The mobile response team will consist of a construction manager and ten AmeriCorps members. The team will be trained in disaster preparedness, immediate disaster response and long-term disaster recovery. When the team is not responding to a disaster, they will work with communities across the state to build and repair affordable housing, with an emphasis on rural communities.
“I thank the Iowa Finance Authority and the other partners, including the Corporation for National and Community Service, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Alliant Energy and First Congregational Church of Marshalltown who have come together to make this mobile response team a reality,” said Habitat for Humanity of Iowa Executive Director Lisa Houser.
It is estimated that more than 900 Marshalltown homes were impacted by the July 19, 2018 tornado. Among those, approximately 60 homes were totally destroyed or had significant structural damage and another 300 sustained major damage.
The Iowa Finance Authority also previously awarded $250,000 to Region 6 Housing Trust Fund to assist eligible Marshalltown homeowners with disaster repairs.
Volunteers who would like to assist in the Marshalltown recovery efforts may contact the Central Iowa RSVP Volunteer Center at 515-444-2390 or email marshalltowntornadovolunteers@gmail.com. Information about AmeriCorps job opportunities and donations to assist in the recovery efforts is available at www.IowaHabitat.org.
The Iowa Legislature created the Iowa Finance Authority, 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 40 affordable housing, water quality and agricultural development programs.
