City council agrees to contribute towards cost of Community Housing Assessment

An Omaha firm wil be hired to conduct a Community Housing Assessioment study of Winneshiek County--and the City of Decorah will help pay for the cost.

A committee of Winneshiek County Development for several months has been discussing the need for affordable housing in the community.  Now Decorah Jobs and WCDI have agreed to pay $10,000 for a professional assessment of housing issues in Winneshiek County.

On Monday Winneshiek County supervisors agreed to contribute $2,000 in county funds, while the Decorah City Council agreed to contribute $2,500 in city funds.  Black Hills energy had already pledged $3,000.  It is hoped the remaining $2,500 can be raised through contributions from NICC, Luther or other groups.

WCDI Executive Director Randy Uhl Monday night told Decorah City council members the search for ways to increase affordable housing in the area is "a high priority" for his organization.