Rental housing rates rising
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Around Ringgold County, people are struggling to find available rental housing, and monthly rental rates are rising for many Mount Ayr tenants.
Residents at Country Ayr apartments found a note, dated February 1, taped to their mailbox stating their rent would be increasing $100-150 a month beginning March 1.
The increase in rent came after a change in property management companies.
Prior to the first of the year, Jennifer Mercer, of South Central Iowa Realty in Mount Ayr, was handling property management for the owner of the 12 apartments and Brick Plex space.
Now the property is being managed by Our Town Realty Property Management in Creston.
“Due to the insurance cost increase and monthly expenses, the landlord is increasing your rent,” the rental increase notice from Our Town Realty stated.
Tenants were given two options; accept the rent increase and continue occupancy, or choose not to accept and depart by the end of February.
While Iowa Tenant Law does allow landlords to increase rent with at least thirty days written notice, it cannot be increased while a current rental agreement is in place according to Iowa Code §§562A.13(5).
Some tenants said they had signed 12-month lease agreements with the prior property manager, and wanted the terms of their lease agreements honored.
Country Ayr apartment listings have since been advertised for $850-$900 a month on facebook marketplace by Our Town Realty.
Rental Housing Hurdles
Available rental options in the local area are not easy to locate.
The first hurdle people encounter, is trying to figure out who to contact about rental housing.
Once contact information for potential rental properties is identified, the task of finding available options begins.
Renters then face waiting lists and potentially unaffordable rental costs.
Upper level apartments in Mount Ayr rent for around $700-1,000 a month according to recent facebook marketplace listings.
A 4-plex apartment building on the corner of Columbus and Webster street recently listed a two bedroom unit on facebook marketplace for $650.
Record News staff reached out about the apartment, and Ashley with Complete Properties Inc in Winterset shared listings typically go fast and the unit has already rented.
“We have been weighing the cost of building on a vacant lot [adjacent to the 4-plex],” stated Ashley in a phone conversation.
Although her husband Josh is a home builder, the cost of building materials has skyrocketed in recent years.
They also own two rental houses in Mount Ayr and a 6-plex with one bedroom apartments in Leon.
Inquires or wait list requests can be made by contacting Ashley at 515-321-5119.
Taylor Court Apartments located at 501 N Taylor St in Mount Ayr was recently sold by SIRHA and is now owned and managed by Samar Realty LLC located in Council Bluffs.
A new sign will be going up soon, directing people to call Samar Realty at 712-310-8181 for information.
They had two units available between $650 for a 1-bedroom, and $800 for a 2-bedroom apartment when the Record News staff reached out. Samar Realty does accept SIRHA or Section 8 payments, however pets are not allowed.
At least 30 additional individuals/landlords own a variety of rental houses and properties around Mount Ayr, although you will rarely see availability advertised.
Public Housing Programs
Mount Ayr Manor apartments, available to handicapped or disabled individuals 55 years of age and over, are operated by Murphy Realty & Management, Inc. in Algona.
Heritage Park Apartments, located at 306 E Monroe St in Mount Ayr, is funded through HUD’s Public Housing program. Owned and managed by Mount Ayr Public Housing Authority, they provide housing for older adults and typically have a waiting list.
Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (SIRHA) in Creston assists people in Ringgold County and surrounding areas by providing rent assistance or rent subsidy for low income individuals, families, elderly or disabled people who meet qualifying program guidelines.
Income eligible families in Ringgold County can rent one of 15 one-bedroom units for older adults at Polk Villa, (2) two-bedroom family units, or (2) three-bedroom family units.
Rent for these units are calculated based on 30% of the family’s adjusted gross income. Unit size is assigned based on family composition.
Section 8 Housing Program
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is available in SIRHA’s service area.
Families are responsible for locating a unit that is eligible for the program. The family will pay rent to the landlord based on a percentage of the family’s monthly gross adjusted income. SIRHA will have a contract with the landlord to pay the difference due on behalf of the family.
However, due to a funding shortfall, SIRHA is unable to issue any new vouchers presently. A waiting list with preferences for residency and/or for veterans has been established for new applications.
Self Sufficiency Program
A self sufficiency program for families who want to improve their quality of life and gain economic independence is also available through SIRHA. It is designed to help families receiving Section 8 assistance achieve self-sufficiency.
Initially, SIRHA establishes and maintains a savings account for the family. Once the family is on the FSS Program and receives an increase in earned income that causes the family’s rent to increase, SIRHA will make a monthly deposit of the amount of the rent increase into the family’s FSS savings account. This interest-bearing account is held for the family by SIRHA. After successful completion of the FSS Program, the family is eligible to receive the funds in their account.
In addition to providing the savings account, SIRHA’s FSS Coordinator will work with the families and local agencies to provide any supportive services that may assist the family in achieving their goals for self-sufficiency.
Homeless/rapid re-housing
MATURA provides homeless prevention/crisis programs and rapid re-housing assistance.
The Mount Ayr MATURA office is located at 306 Garfield Street, and can be reached at: 641-464-2401.
