Workforce Housing Tax Credit Program Supports New Housing Development in Dubuque

Developers and community partners interested in building or rehabilitating housing in Dubuque are encouraged to explore the State of Iowa’s Workforce Housing Tax Credit program, a competitive financing tool designed to support new housing development across the state.

Administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority, the Workforce Housing Tax Credit program provides a state investment tax credit of up to 10% of eligible construction or rehabilitation costs, with a maximum award of $1 million per project. Applications for the 2026 funding round are due June 10, 2026.

The program has already helped accelerate housing investment in Dubuque. In 2024, one local project representing five housing units received $98,040 in Workforce Housing Tax Credits. In response, the City of Dubuque and local nonprofit partners worked to increase awareness of the program among developers. Those efforts have produced significant results:

• In 2025, four projects representing 59 housing units received more than $1.2 million in tax credits.
• In 2026, two projects representing 178 housing units received $2 million in tax credits.

As part of the application process, projects must obtain a letter of support from the City of Dubuque. Due to recent program changes, the City may support a maximum of four projects each year. To manage this process, the City is establishing a project review rubric to determine which proposals will receive a letter of support. Developers interested in applying for Workforce Housing Tax Credits should request a letter of support from the City by April 10, 2026, allowing time for project review before the June 10 state application deadline.

Questions about the local support process can be directed to Jill Connors, Economic Development Director for the City of Dubuque, at jilconno@cityofdubuque.org.

More information about the Workforce Housing Tax Credit program is available through the Iowa Economic Development Authority website. For general questions about the Workforce Housing Tax Credit program or for general supporting in compiling an application, contact Dave Lyons, Strategic Initiatives Consultant with Greater Dubuque Development at davel@greaterdubuque.org or 563-557-9049.