Rob Sand Highlights Plans to Lower Housing Costs and Strengthen Rural Iowa on “Iowa for All” Tour

DES MOINES, IA – On Monday, nominee for governor Rob Sand continued his statewide “Iowa For All” tour with stops across eastern Iowa to hear directly from Iowans about the challenges facing their communities and to share his plans to lower costs, expand housing opportunities, and strengthen Iowa’s rural economy.

Rob started the day in Mount Vernon touring an affordable housing unit and sitting down with community leaders for a roundtable discussion on how to lower housing costs and expand affordable housing options for Iowans. As governor, Rob will work to cut unnecessary red tape, and make it easier to build more homes so Iowans can afford to live, work, and raise a family in the communities they call home.

Afterwards, Rob toured Moore Local, a local market and dairy farm in Maquoketa, before heading to a farm outside of Wheatland for a conversation with farmers and rural leaders led by Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart. During the discussion, Rob highlighted his “Healthier Iowa for All” and “Opportunity for All” plans to support Iowa’s family farms, strengthen our rural economy, and improve conservation programs.

Learn more about Rob’s recent “Iowa for All” tour stops below:

KGAN: Rob Sand discusses housing affordability with local leaders

Rob Sand met with local housing leaders in Mount Vernon on Monday to discuss housing affordability, construction costs and the types of homes Iowa communities need.
Sand toured a unit at Cottonwood Trail, a 30-unit apartment community for adults 55 and older with income restrictions. The discussion expanded beyond the development to include infrastructure costs, existing housing and options for people looking for affordable places to live.
“Housing is something that all Iowans need,” Sand said. “So many people are crunched right now trying to afford gas, groceries but housing is a big piece of it too.”
Sand has previously proposed interest-free down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and renter protections aimed at preventing overcharges. He has also called for reducing construction delays, including coordinating inspections so one inspector could handle multiple inspections needed at the same stage of a project.

WQAD: Rob Sand discusses farm economy, water in visit to Wheatland

Rob Sand, the Democrat running to be Iowa’s next governor, called for expanded agricultural markets and conservation efforts during a campaign stop Monday at a farm near Wheatland.
Sand criticized federal tariffs, saying they have hurt Iowa’s farm economy. He said state leaders should challenge federal policies that harm Iowans, regardless of which party is in power.
On water quality, Sand called for expanded wetland restoration, cover crops and other conservation efforts.
He said restoring wetlands could improve water quality while creating more opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation. Sand argued those opportunities could also give people more reasons to stay in Iowa.
He also supported expanding efforts to help farmers convert erosion-prone cropland into grazing land and strengthening connections between livestock producers, local meat processors and regional food markets.