For immediate release:                                                                       Contact: Ashley Jared: 515-725-4934
January 7, 2014

DES MOINES – The Iowa Finance Authority today announced the launch of IowaHousingSearch.org, a free housing locator web site that gives renters, landlords, housing professionals, and social service providers access to real-time rental housing information. The web site already has approximately 20,000 rental units listed representing 250 Iowa landlords and continues to grow rapidly. The project is powered by Socialserve.com, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to affordable housing across the nation.
 
IowaHousingSearch.org offers landlords free advertising for their properties, including critically needed affordable and accessible units, while helping renters find housing to fit their specific needs. Listings are linked to interactive maps and can include pictures and information about nearby amenities such as parks, schools and hospitals. Special features for renters include quick links to housing resources as well as rent-affordability and moving-cost calculators.

“IowaHousingSearch.org will provide a fast and easy way to locate rental housing information and related resources,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. “This tool will also be a valuable asset for property owners and a great resource for our communities.”
 
IowaHousingSearch.org is also a powerful resource during times of disaster, putting current housing information at the fingertips of disaster victims. “IowaHousingSearch.org sets an excellent example for disaster preparedness with a proactive approach to identifying and listing emergency rental housing,” said Pat Hall, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Recovery Division Administrator. “When a crisis causes housing loss in Iowa, this resource will be in place and ready to quickly help displaced individuals.IowaHousingSearch.org will give us the tools we need to find available replacement housing throughout the state.”
 
To list or search for housing on IowaHousingSearch.org, go online at IowaHousingSearch.org any time, or call a toll-free, bilingual call center at 1.877.428.8844, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time.