Our Strategy

The overarching goal of  this strategy  is to expand the inventory of quality, attainable housing units. 

Growing the available inventory of housing units – both renovated and new construction – will ensure that Mason City is positioned for continued growth and success. This effort will require a sustained and concerted commitment from a coalition of public and private partners working collaboratively for the greater good of the community. As detailed in the following sections, multiple strategies and specific tactics should be pursued to effectively and efficiently grow the volume of available units.

One of the most straightforward methods of expanding available housing units in a community is diversifying the kinds of units that can be developed. For instance, creating smaller units that require less maintenance are often appealing to an aging population. When older residents move into these new homes, the homes they have occupied –sometimes for decades – are opened to individuals or families looking to purchase their first homes.

While the concept of “density” can seem contradictory to single family neighborhoods, in reality, a “missing middle” approach would help address affordability issues and be constructed at a scale – four units or less per lot – that seamlessly integrates with existing homes. Specific housing types for Mason City to consider include duplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts, and multiplexes.

Though often overlooked until there is an issue, infrastructure expenditures comprise a large segment of Mason City’s budget. Naturally, it follows that the City wants to maximize its return on this investment and align its residential growth with planned infrastructure system enhancements and expansions. The City can take on a number of tasks to ensure investments in housing and infrastructure are complementary and coordinated.

One of the most arduous tasks in a community is ongoing maintenance throughout the hundreds of parcels. The task of ensuring tidy properties in smaller communities is complicated by the personal relationships that abound in these places. It can be difficult for a code enforcement officer to require family members or friends to clean up their properties but is most certainly a necessity for the greater good of the community.

Another means of effectively developing workforce housing units is focusing on infill lots. These lots already have infrastructure nearby, reducing development costs and minimizing the development timeline. Further, this approach builds on the social infrastructure that already exists in Mason City, driving the sense of community and embeddedness across different housing products. 

As with many industries and smaller communities, finding skilled labor to construct housing units is a challenge in Mason City. Fortunately, state leaders understand the issue facing Iowa municipalities, and opportunities for partnerships at a more local scale abound.

Affordable housing development has been described as being at a crisis point across the United States. Community Development Corporations, or CDCs, are one tool to help combat this issue. These nonprofit, community-based organizations are mission-driven and focus on revitalizing the areas in which they are located – typically low-income, underserved neighborhoods that have experienced significant disinvestment over the years.

Developing the capital stack to support the creation of workforce housing is a continual challenge. The challenge is compounded in smaller communities outside of metropolitan areas, where there are not as many developers, finding the labor to construct homes can be daunting, and bringing in supplies and materials can be cost prohibitive in and of itself. Fortunately, Workforce Housing Tax Credits exist to help address this challenge and, as a result, the overall shortage of workforce housing that is needed to support local communities.

Review/Update City Ordinance to Allow for Cottage Courts and Tiny Housing, Where Necessary

Another method of increasing housing stock is by allowing for cottage courts and tiny housing in the community. The creation of these units can reduce or eliminate the barriers typically associated with housing, ultimately moving Mason City closer to realizing its goal.

There is a sentiment amongst area developers, whether real or perceived, that the City’s development process could be streamlined. Recognizing this, the City recently revised its review process as part of the ordinance update. To complement this effort, the City can enact a handful of additional steps to streamline the development process. One of the simplest things the City can do in a matter of weeks is develop an FAQ document to proactively address the issues raised most often in the development process.