Dubuque has been working to improve access to affordable housing and is poised for the next step in its process. In recent years, it has had several different kinds of housingassessments completed. It has incentivized homeowner rehabilitation and has passed incentives for developers to create nearly 800 new units. It’s also created more infill by removing dilapidated buildings. Despite considerable action in this area, Dubuque faces challenges.

Students in Civil and Environmental Engineering created plans for an affordable housing subdivision on five parcels of land in Maquoketa. The project includes stormwater management and remediation of a hazardous chemical. 

Civil and Environmental Engineering students studied options for building on several city-owned vacant lots in Clinton with an emphasis on low- and medium-income single-family homes. For their senior capstone project, the team researched the costs of various housing materials, styles of housing, as well as financing options. They provided plans for two sites, each with design and amenities options for potential residents. 

Students in a course in the School of Planning and Public Affairs developed recommendations to help address homelessness in Clinton. 

For their capstone project, students in the School of Planning and Public Affairs created an updated Housing Needs Assessment, a tool to help decision-makers ensure that existing and future residents can find safe, secure, and quality housing that meets their needs and budgets.

As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students redesigned the old YMCA complex in Clinton, Iowa, including rehabilitation of the historic YMCA structure, demolition plans for an adjacent deteriorating structure, and designs for a new restaurant and entertainment venue.  

Two students from the Tippie College of Business Marketing Institute developed marketing strategies and materials to promote the sale of lots in the City of Preston's new subdivision, Harvest Heights. 

Students enrolled in the School of Planning and Public Affairs Public Policy and Persuasion course worked with key stakeholders to develop a set of proposed policy solutions for creating additional workforce housing options for Maquoketa residents.