Clay County housing task force takes questions

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to remove incorrect information. We regret the error.

SPENCER, Iowa (KCAU) — Clay County, Iowa residents affected by recent flooding gathered Wednesday night in Spencer to learn more about the resources available to assist with disaster recovery.

The Clay County Community Housing Task Force took questions from around 100 people during the meeting at the Clay County Regional Events Center. It’s estimated that about 80 percent of Spencer’s homes, business and other structures were impacted by flood waters.

Many of the night’s questions centered on demolition and removal of debris from those properties and who will pay for it. Rental property was hit especially hard; in Spencer, 60 percent, or about 1,200 to 1,800 renters, were displaced, but progress is being made.

“The feedback we get from the people who do this for a living at the federal and state level comment on the spirit of rural Iowa and neighbors helping neighbors, and that’s what we see,” deputy city manager Kevin Robinson said. “The folks that were here today all have housing concerns about how to move forward and repair their lives and build their lives, and a lot of the questions revolved around that.”

“The city, the nonprofits, the foundations are all out there working for them,” Spencer mayor Steve Bomgaars said. “We are doing our best to get the city back online.”

A number of local bankers, realtors, CPA’s and city officials were also available for one-on-one, confidential conversations with flood victims.

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