A windshield survey of Kalona homes has rated them among the best in Washington County, according to a survey by Tricia Heald, planner with East Central Iowa Council of Governments.

Heald gave a preliminary report on the housing needs assessment she is conducting for the Washington County Board of Supervisors. That report is slated to be completed by early May. The assessment evaluates the current housing situation and projected needs, and is valuable when applying for state or federal grants.

Heald’s preliminary report found that 281 or 29 per cent of Kalona’s 956 housing units are in excellent condition; 357 or 37 per cent are in good condition; 294 or 31 per cent are in fair condition (needing major exterior repairs) and 24 or 3 per cent in poor condition (show structural defects and may be serious enough that the unit cannot be returned to good condition); and none were listed as unsound.

Heald said Riverside and Washington also had above average housing stock.

Heald’s preliminary report, which includes interviews with employers and lenders, found that there is a shortage of affordable housing in the Kalona area.

The report indicated that the average cost of a 1,040 square foot home in Kalona, including lot, is about $110,480. This is relatively expensive compared to other Washington County communities, she noted. The cost is out of reach of households earning up to 110 per cent of the area median income in Brighton. Even if a household managed to buy a home in this price range, the down payment still poses a barrier.

Projected housing needs

Heald reported that the housing demand projection for Kalona was computed as a ratio of the county. Washington County’s projected population for 2000 is 21,240. The 1990 Kalona population is 9.902 per cent of the county total. This percentage multiplied by the projected county population, reveals the city projected population for 2000 to be 2,103. Factors involved in determining projected housing needs include the estimated average household size for 2000 and five per cent standard vacancy rate.

The projected housing units needed by year 2000 is 876. Heald’s windshield survey found 956 housing units including apartments. A city clerk survey reports 806 units.

More details will be available when Heald presents her final report to the Washington County Board of Supervisors in May.

Heald said her visit in Kalona Monday evening was to get input from city leaders and residents.