Open house to discuss Cedar Rapids homeless project

CEDAR RAPIDS - Area residents are invited to an open house to learn more about a Cedar Rapids housing project that aims to include a handful of units dedicated to the homeless.

Officials with the proposed Crestwood Ridge Apartments will host the open house from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Holy Redeemer Church, 720 Edgewood Road NW.

Crestwood Ridge Apartments, at 1200 Edgewood Road NW, was granted $8 million in federal low-income housing tax credits last month - or $800,000 a year for 10 years - from the Iowa Finance Authority through a new Housing for Homeless demonstration.

The Cedar Rapids City Council will, at some point, consider a requested rezoning for the 17,550 square-foot, three-story building, proposed near Fire Station No. 3. Before that, officials with CommonBond Communities, which is proposing the building, want to inform the public about the project.

The complex would include 45 units, including five providing permanent housing for homeless people and families with extreme barriers; 36 'affordable” units; and five market-rate units, as well as 90 parking spaces. The Willis Dady Emergency Shelter is a partner in the project and would provide on-site support for homeless residents.

The city, which owns the land, had previous given signals of support for the project, including supporting the tax credit application. Earlier this year, the city accepted a bid to sell the 1.98 acres to CommonBond for $280,000. That was contingent on the tax credits, and city staff recommended the rezoning, saying it aligns with the future use.