Linn County and the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) won a 2024 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). The award recognizes their work on the Linn County Housing Needs Assessment and Equity Analysis project completed earlier this year.

The Housing Needs Assessment looked at existing and future housing stock throughout Linn County (excluding the cities of Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha) and identified strategies that can help ensure the housing market provides housing opportunities for people and families of all income levels.

“We are honored to have our Housing Needs Assessment recognized by the NADO Impact Awards,” said Linn County Planning & Development director Charlie Nichols. “Quality housing is a cornerstone of sustainable growth, as it directly impacts economic development, community health, and overall quality of life. Ensuring the availability of housing that is affordable, accessible, and near employment centers is a key goal of Linn County’s Comprehensive Plan.”

The Linn County Housing Needs Assessment provides critical insights into the current and future housing landscape, enabling informed decision-making to address gaps in housing supply and quality. With this data, Linn County communities can implement targeted strategies to meet the evolving needs of their residents and support inclusive, long-term growth.

The Housing Equity Analysis focused on communities within the metro area including Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion. The analysis identified disparate impacts in housing based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, ability status, and other factors. Linn County is using the information from the analysis in its collaborative work, including through the Alliance for Equitable Housing, to develop solutions to address identified disparities.

“As a regional planning organization, one of ECICOG’s roles in our region is to help communities and counties plan for their future. This includes analyzing historical and current data, which then demonstrates trends and helps communities identify opportunities,” said ECICOG Housing Director Tracey Achenbach. “ECICOG is appreciative for the opportunity to partner with Linn County in completing the Housing Needs Assessment and Equity Analysis and to be a part of a project that works toward finding housing solutions for all Linn County residents.”

The full Housing Needs Assessment and Housing Equity Analysis are available on the Linn County website.