New Director of Affordable Housing Network

Danielle Rodriguez has been named the new director of the Affordable Housing Network, Inc. (AHNI).

Ms. Rodriguez, who began her new duties March 7, replaces Kim Eiler, AHNI’s director from 2011 to Feb. 18, 2022.

Ms. Rodriguez has nearly 20 years of experience in housing and supportive services for vulnerable children, adults and families in Eastern Iowa. From 2013 to 2020, she worked at Four Oaks – first as service coordinator for a federal demonstration project that addressed homelessness and housing stability for families with complex needs, then as a success manager for Four Oaks TotalChild Workforce, a program that supports young adults as they navigate education and employment.

From 2008 to 2013, Ms. Rodriguez served as housing compliance coordinator and family support worker at Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP). Most recently, from 2020 to 2022, she worked as HACAP’s community outreach coordinator for Linn and Johnson counties.

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Community Comes Together To Help Geneva Tower Residents

After the fire at Geneva Tower in Cedar Rapids, dozens of people who lived there relied on shelters and friends and family. That includes a Red Cross Shelter at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Over 50 people stayed at the Coliseum, and the Red Cross said they’ve seen more people coming in during meal times as well. They said it was all about providing people with those immediate, basic needs.

”The resources just came in to this hub at Veritas and provided the care that these individuals needed,” said Debbie Craig Affordable Housing Network, Inc. Chief Advocacy Officer.

The Veritas church across the street from Geneva Towers became the first relief shelter after the fire.

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Volunteers Wash Laundry for Geneva Tower Residents

Volunteers met at Clean Laundry at 1420 First Ave. NE to wash laundry for displaced Geneva Tower residents.

The residents were evacuated after an abrupt fire started, and many stayed at a shelter set up by the Red Cross in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Affordable Housing Network, which owns Geneva Tower, sent professional cleaners into the apartments that had water damage to collect clothing, bedding, stuffed animals and whatever else needed to be washed, according to Debbie Craig, Chief Advocacy Officer for Affordable Housing Network.

The laundry was taken to the laundromat and washed by 15 volunteers from Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust and Trinity Presbyterian Church.

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The Utilization of Restorative Practices

Four Oaks Education Liaison, Kara Grafft says: The past couple of years has been difficult for all of us, but especially for our students, teachers, administrators, and educators. A global pandemic disrupted routines and led to increased stress, isolation, and disconnection; all of this on top of the existing issues facing our schools.

As an education liaison, I support schools in developing trauma-informed spaces and creating optimal learning environments so students can achieve academic success. I’ve worked with educators across Iowa and have seen first-hand the stress and strain they are under but also their strength and commitment to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment where students’ social, emotional, behavioral health needs are met.

I believe a foundational part of creating this learning environment is the utilization of restorative practices rather than traditional punitive discipline to resolve conflict, repair harm, and heal relationships.

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Geneva Tower Update for March 16, 2022

Updated: March 16, 2022

The Affordable Housing Network, Inc. (AHNI) moved another nine residents back into Geneva Tower yesterday and will be moving residents who live on the 12th floor back into the building today.

Around 30 residents who live on floors 9-11 are still unable to reoccupy their units. Alternative arrangements have been made for those individuals.

AHNI continues to work closely with contractors on the restoration of floors 10 and 11 and expects all residents to be returned to Geneva Tower by mid-week next week. Work on Floor 9 will take several more weeks as there was considerable damage to the entire floor.

If individuals are interested in helping the families affected by the fire, please make donations to AHNI at https://pages.donately.com/fouroaks/donate or to the American Red Cross at https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/.

Geneva Tower Update for March 10, 2022

Updated: 3-10-22

The Affordable Housing Network, Inc. (AHNI) continues to work closely with a variety of contractors on the restoration of Geneva Tower. We expect rehab on floors 10-12 to be complete within the next couple of weeks.

There are currently 10-12 residents who are unable to reoccupy their units. Alternative arrangements have been made for those individuals.

We appreciate the continued support from our community partners as we work together to ensure residents’ needs continue to be met.

If you are interested in helping the families affected by the fire, you can make donations here or to the American Red Cross under the Disaster Relief donation designation.

AHNI to begin phase one of move-in to Geneva Tower

Updated: 3-3-22

The Affordable Housing Network, Inc. (AHNI) is moving residents who live on floors 1-8 back into Geneva Tower today. The move-in will take place in phases throughout the day. 122 residents will be moving back into their units.

Alternative arrangements have been made for individuals who are unable to reoccupy their unit.

Linn County Emergency Management will oversee transportation for residents from Veterans Memorial Coliseum to Geneva Tower. AHNI and Four Oaks will oversee the move-in process for residents. The American Red Cross will continue to operate the temporary shelter at Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the day while residents wait for their designated move-in time.

If you are interested in helping the families affected by the fire, you can make donations here or to the American Red Cross under the Disaster Relief donation designation.

Geneva Tower Update for February 28, 2022

Updated: 2-28-22

Cedar Rapids Fire Investigators have determined the cause of the Geneva Tower fire on February 20, 2022 to be accidental. Smoking materials left unattended too close to combustible materials ignited in a room on the 9th floor and swiftly spread to floors 10, 11 and 12. This determination is based on interviews, on-scene interviews and coordination with other investigative entities.

AHNI continues to work with all the proper authorities to ensure residents are returning to a building that is safe. Move-in will take place in phases, as there is more damage to some floors than others.

As residents move back into their units, there will be a need for donations, of new household items as well as well as volunteers. If individuals are interested in volunteering or making donations of new household items, they can contact Nicole Ragsdale at nragsdale@fouroaks.org.

If you are interested in helping the families affected by the fire, you can make donations here or to the American Red Cross under the Disaster Relief donation designation.

Geneva Tower Fire Recovery Update

Updated: 2-23-22

Affordable Housing Network, Inc. (AHNI) is working closely with a variety of contractors on the restoration of Geneva Tower following Sunday’s fire. The foremost responsibility and priority of AHNI is the safety of the residents and community.

AHNI’s goal is to get residents back into their units as soon as it is safe to do so. AHNI has contacted all residents and will work with each resident individually to discuss their return to Geneva Tower.

At this time there are no move-in dates. Move-in will take place in phases as there is more damage to some floors than others. Phase 1 will be to move in residents from the lower floors. AHNI continues to work on ensuring the safety and clean-up of those apartments and public spaces. Phase 2 will be to re-house residents from the higher floors. Phase 3 involves Floor 9 which had the highest impact and will require the most work.

A temporary shelter has been opened through the American Red Cross at the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum for residents that have been displaced by the fire. The Red Cross is coordinating supportive services to maintain resident care and case management while in the shelter. The Salvation Army has committed to coordinating three meals a day to those staying in the shelter.

A collaborative community services group is meeting daily to ensure all agencies are coordinated and working in concert to ensure the resident’s needs continue to be addressed. AHNI is incredibly grateful for the continued support and assistance from our community partners.

If you are interested in helping the families affected by the fire, you can make donations here or to the American Red Cross under the Disaster Relief donation designation.

Geneva Tower Fire Recovery

Updated: 2-21-22

On Sunday, February 20, 2022, there was a devastating fire at Geneva Tower. The entire building was evacuated. A temporary shelter for tenants has been opened through the American Red Cross at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum.

Affordable Housing Network, Inc. (AHNI) and a variety of contractors are working on restoration of the building. The goal is to get tenants back in their units as soon as it is safe to do so. This will come in phases as there is more damage to some floors than others.

If you are interested in helping the families affected by the fire, you can make donations here or to the American Red Cross under the Disaster Relief donation designation.