Pottawattamie County
.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1)
Because of a concern as to whether more could be and should be done to meet the housing needs of people in Council Bluffs and Southwest Iowa, we began in late summer of 2007 to contact people, both in groups and on an individual basis, to see if it would be feasible to start a new non-profit organization in our area. All contacts expressed a need for the type of services we would be providing. The only concern raised was to avoid the appearance of being in competition with Habitat for Humanity as several members of our organization had previously been involved with Habitat. We recruited a board of directors in the fall of 2007 and signed our covenant partnership agreement on November 12, 2007. Our current board consists of eight people, seven of whom had experience in some capacity with Habitat for Humanity.
Establishing a service area that would be realistic as to goals and resources was a difficult process. At one time we were considering a service area that would encompass 12 Iowa counties and four in Nebraska. After much discussion it was decided that our service area would be Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
We have completed our first repair/renovation project in Avoca, Iowa. This project was led by board member Tamera Ploen and it was a great success. We also have received a donated lot in Carson, Iowa. A second Avoca project is set for August or September of this year and we are working with the cities of Council Bluffs and Carter Lake to begin repair/renovation/rehab projects in those communities.
Contact Information:
Fuller Center for Housing of Pottawattamie County
Ron Pierce-President
4317 Cottage Row
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
We'd love to hear your comments!