The Jump Start federal housing program is credited for backing the construction of seven modular homes in the PrairieView subdivision of Forest City, Iowa in the north central part of the state. A qualified candidate can receive a grant up to $37,500 towards the purchase of a home valued at $150,000. The North Iowa Area Council of Governments is administering the program and Forest City agreed to extend the tax increment finance district for another five years, thereby getting over the hump of the recession. As globegazette.com informs MHProNews, Mary Farus of First Choice Realty in Forest City said the project would not have happened were it not for the Jump Start program.

(Photo credit: Craig Matthews/thedailyjournal-modular home being sited)