Housing

Section 8 Housing – SYV committee submitted a proposal to the Housing Commission requesting applicants who have “aged out” of the foster care system be given 5 preference points and 65 preference points for being residents of Dubuque. The Housing Commission voted unanimously in favor of our request and this new policy went into effect July 1, 2008. These preference points will put the youth at the top of the waiting list shortening the wait time from 18 months to 1-2 months. This new resource will provide a stable housing option for our youth as they strive towards the goal of self-sufficiency. Once accepted into the Section 8 Housing Program, the youth can also benefit from the City of Dubuque’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program.

For more information or for documentation for your Section 8 Housing application please contact:

Kathy Berns
Transition Planning Specialist
Iowa Department of Human Services
1407 Independence Ave.
PO Box 7500 Waterloo, IA. 50704-7500
Phone #(319)292-2368
Fax #(319)291-2619

Apartment Makeover - Although Dubuque was not established enough to participate in the state-wide elevate Apartment Make-over Project, we did receive a request from a former youth in care who is working full-time and going to school full-time and taking care of her younger siblings. She has her own apartment, but it was almost completely empty. Through the resources of the SYV committee members, we were able to provide this young woman with all the requests on her wish list. Look for information about elevate apartment makeovers again next Spring or contact Kate Burke at 564-9286.