Study: Marshalltown needs housing of all types
City, JBS, banks and others tackling issue head on
T-R FILE PHOTO Pictured is a portion of the JBS-USA Marshalltown pork processing facility in the 400 block of North 10th Ave . The company has taken a leadership role in recent years in the construction of apartments for employees or providing grants/loans for employees to purchase homes. In turn, it assists the company retain valuable employees and attract new hires.
Shown recently is the Crosby Park townhouse development - 1-39 Crosby Park Drive in Marshalltown. It adjoins the American Legion Golf Course. The project is one Marshalltown's most recent housing developments. It was initiated, planned and built by local developers Joe and Janelle Carter.
T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY Pictured is a new home under construction near the intersection of E. Southridge Road and Seventh Avenue, Marshalltown. A recent housing study commissioned by the city reported 600 more housing units of all types are needed.
T-R FILE PHOTO Pictured is a portion of the JBS-USA Marshalltown pork processing facility in the 400 block of North 10th Ave . The company has taken a leadership role in recent years in the construction of apartments for employees or providing grants/loans for employees to purchase homes. In turn, it assists the company retain valuable employees and attract new hires.
Shown recently is the Crosby Park townhouse development - 1-39 Crosby Park Drive in Marshalltown. It adjoins the American Legion Golf Course. The project is one Marshalltown's most recent housing developments. It was initiated, planned and built by local developers Joe and Janelle Carter.
T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY Pictured is a new home under construction near the intersection of E. Southridge Road and Seventh Avenue, Marshalltown. A recent housing study commissioned by the city reported 600 more housing units of all types are needed.
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Editor's Note: This is part two of a two-part series on the building of new apartments, town-homes and more in Marshalltown by its major employers.
In recent years several have spent funds or provided other assets in the building of apartments, town houses and more specifically for employees.
These efforts were initiated because the local apartment/town home or single-family housing inventory was not adequate for some potential hires who wanted to live in Marshalltown but could not find housing to meet their needs. Consequently, those prospective employees found housing in the Ames, Ankeny and Des Moines markets.
Part one published Friday, reported on efforts by legacy employers the Lennox Furnace Co. (now Lennox Industries) and the Times-Republican (T-R) to build affordable housing to meet a similar need in the years immediately following the end of World War II.
Results from a recent housing survey commissioned by the city of Marshalltown reported 600 additional housing units ranging from apartments to single-family homes to townhouses are needed.
Deb Millizer, city housing and community development director, confirmed the results to the Times-Republican Friday.
"The city, JBS, banks and others are working aggressively to meet this need," she said. "We understand that if the city is going to grow and prosper we need to have adequate inventory for our residents, employers and more."
An issue is that several of the city's major employers have reported that prospective hires and existing employees have found housing which meets their needs in Ames, Ankeny and the Des Moines areas versus Marshalltown.
However, local governments and the employers are in the trenches working to address the problem.
Specifically, on Wednesday the city announced on its website it was awarded $2.1 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through its Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program to replace housing lost from the 2020 derecho.
The city plans to use the funding for a project that will build 10 homes. Four homes are planned for the first phase and six in the second.
"This award moves us closer to building new homes for Marshalltown families and putting vacant land back to use," Millizer said in the website report.
JBS-Marshalltown
JBS - Marshalltown's largest employer with more than 2,300 employees – has invested $1 million to establish a Revolving Housing Fund in Marshalltown as part of its nationwide Hometown Strong program, as reported on the company's website
This fund aims to support the continuous development and availability of new, affordable housing options for JBS team members, with purchase costs recycled back into the fund.
"Our team of realtors at No Limits Real Estate has utilized the JBS housing program to assist their employees purchase homes," said Paula Price of the business on Friday. "Additionally, we have utilized resources from local banks and other local or regional entities. As realtors we understand that a strong housing inventory will entice prospective employees to work and live here. It will also induce existing employees to remain in Marshalltown. All contributes to a strong local and area economy."
Other resources available to employees of Marshalltown companies and residents are:
The "Make Marshalltown Home" incentive, which offers $10,000 at closing for buyers of newly constructed homes. The program provides $10,000 to buyers purchasing newly built homes valued over $180,000 to combat local housing shortages.
Rehabilitation & Lead Reduction: City programs target owner-occupied home improvements and lead hazard reduction for qualifying lower-income families. Regional Trust Funds: The Region 6 Resource Housing Trust Fund supports affordable housing projects, repairs, and first-time homebuyer assistance across Marshall, Hardin, Poweshiek, and Tama counties.
"We applaud the efforts of JBS, other local employers, local banks, the Housing and Community Development department, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, HUD, and Region VI Partners to provide resources to strengthen our housing inventory," said Marshalltown Mayor Mike Ladehoff on Friday. "The housing study reporting we need 600 additional housing units is a challenge and opportunity to act quickly and with resolve. A strong housing inventory, in tandem with other amenities such as a vibrant local economy, retail opportunities downtown and at the revitalized Shops at Marshalltown melded with recreation opportunities will keep Marshalltown a viable community for years to come."
Calls and emails to JBS officials and other Marshalltown companies for additional comments about the impact of incentives were not returned by time of press.