A new partnership and committee have been formed to tackle an issue for the city of Keota and surrounding areas. In conjunction with Iowa State University Extension Community Economic Development, the city has undertaken a Rural Housing Assessment Project. City Council appointed a Rural Housing Committee to spearhead the work and hosted an ISU survey on the city website asking both Keota residents and non-residents their opinions on questions related to housing in the area. Keota Councilman Keith Conrad talked with KCII news about the goal of the program. “The endgame is trying to find what type of housing fits our community. How do we bring people back to our area? I think it coincides with  not just Keota but, the area, Keota Washington, Kalona, Wellman. How do our towns pull people to come back home? We’re limited on houses the way it is and talking with Keokuk County, they’re in the same boat. Job opportunities too. If someone came to do business they would want to know what kind of housing stock there is.”

The committee was approved in October and held their first meeting in January. ISU concluded the active portion of their survey last week.