Jackson County Housing Needs Assessment completed

The 2015 Jackson County Housing Needs Assessment has recently been completed by the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA). The cities of Maquoketa, Bellevue, Miles and Preston have partnered with the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Black Hills Energy and the Jackson County Economic Alliance to participate in this needs assessment. The purpose of this assessment was to assist in better understanding the County’s housing conditions as they exist today, identify the housing supply and demand, and to anticipate future housing needs throughout the community.

Over the past 20 years, housing needs across the nation have changed greatly. People’s housing needs change as they age. A significant increase in older residents will change the housing needs of a community.

Some interesting points from the assessment include:

• Although Jackson County’s population has decreased, the number of households in the County has increased.
• The number of family households have declined while single households have grown.
• Household size has declined and is attributable to family composition.
• Single households mean fewer dual income homes and therefore less money to spend on housing.
• Jackson County’s housing stock is on average 5 years older than the statewide average.
• Median cost of owner occupied housing units in Jackson County is lower than the State median value, making local housing costs a great value.

• The Housing Forecast for the next 10 years in Jackson County (2015-2025) projects:
  • 316 owner occupied units
  • 51 rental units

The Housing Needs Assessment also makes several recommendations which include:

• Consider the changing housing needs of the aging population.
• Attracting younger families will be especially important. Quality housing options, especially quality rental can assist with this effort.
• Continue to maintain the quality of housing stock.
  • Code Enforcement
  • Rental Inspection program
• Rehabilitate upper story apartments in downtown areas.

A copy of the full Housing Needs Assessment can be obtained here (http://www.thejcea.org/jackson/resources/resource-library/?item=7676), and a developer's persective letter can be viewed here (http://www.thejcea.org/jackson/resources/resource-library/?item=7678).