Pocket Neighborhood
The Bear River Cottages is a single family housing development located in Maquoketa, Iowa.
The targeted income group was at or below 80% of the Jackson County median income guidelines. The groundbreaking ceremony was conducted in October, 2019 with the final home completed and sold in June, 2022.
The homes were constructed to provide an affordable alternative to first time homebuyers looking to own a home versus renting, and households wanting to downsize to a smaller more efficient house.
Each home was constructed by a local contractor and sold for $150,000. Layers of grants and funding assisted with writing down the construction costs for each home. In addition, each buyer was provided with down payment assistance. Homebuyers were able to choose from options for their floor plan either two- or three-bedroom, siding color, cabinetry, flooring and paint colors. All homes have an unfinished basement with a daylight window; two bathrooms, two car garage and front porch. 
What is a Pocket Neighborhood?
- Planned community consisting of smaller residences with around 10 homes
- Moderately priced homes for workforce housing
- Simple, more affordable building templates with smaller footprints
- Designed to promote close knit sense of community
- Increased sense of ownership and connectivity among residents
- Bungalow or craftsman style home
- Incorporates sustainability and green building concepts
- Clustering homes around common amenities
- Common courtyard area and a shared community garden
- Community space such as a gazebo
- Thrives on the spirit of community
Partners
- City of Maquoketa
- Community Foundation of Jackson County
- East Central Iowa Association of Realtors
- Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund
- Federal Home Loan Bank
- Iowa Area Development Group
- Iowa Finance Authority
- Iowa Association of Realtors
- Jackson County Iowa Board of Supervisors
- Jackson County Economic Alliance
- Maquoketa Municipal Electric Utility
- McDonough Foundation
- Maquoketa State Bank
- Theisen's
- Trees Forever
- University of Iowa - Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities
Recognition/Awards
- NADO Impact Award
- Iowa Finance Authority Single Family Housing Development Award
- IA NAHRO Presidents Service Award
- Nan McKay Development Award
- NAHRO National Award of Merit
