The Ames City Council voted to move forward in a city effort to make buying homes easier for moderate- and low-income Ames residents.

The council approved a motion to submit a grant application for the housing assistance fund program.

Vanessa Baker-Latimer, housing coordinator for the City of Ames, presented the council with information regarding the city’s Phase IV Mortgage Buy-Down Program.

This program would bridge the gap between the purchase price of a home and an affordable mortgage amount for first-time buyers.

Targeted buyers are people whose incomes are at or below 80 percent of the Story County median, Baker-Latimer said.

Baker-Latimer said the program would convert some rental areas back to single-family areas. She also said a contract has been negotiated with Norwest Banks to make the program possible.

Subsidies made to families would be income-based, but no subsidy would be larger than $20,000.

Baker-Latimer said the average subsidy may range between $10,000 and $15,000.

In other business

*The council approved renewal of the following beer permits and liquor licenses: Class A Liquor for the American Legion Post #37, 2255 Main St.; Special Class C Liquor for The Pizza Kitchens, 120 Hayward Ave.; and Special Class C Liquor and Outdoor Service Area for Cafe Lovish, 2512 Lincoln Way.

*Approval of completion of improvements in the following subdivisions and locations: Hollywood Video, 539 Lincoln Way, and Bruegger’s Bagels, 637 Lincoln Way; Mary Greeley Medical Center, 2322 E. 13th St.; Aldi Foods, 1307 Buckeye; Kum & Go/Burger King, 2801 E. 13th St.; Hillside, 2nd Addition; Creekside II; Bloomington Court; Country Gables, 9th Addition; Bentwood, 2nd Addition; Stone Brooke, 5th Addition; Bloomington Heights, 5th Addition.

*Approval of reading on resolution for a plan to allow construction of Fazoli’s restaurant with drive-through and signage at 2435 Grand Ave.

*Approval of resolution to change orders for Lincoln Way/Clark Avenue/Walnut Avenue intersection reconstruction project.

*Approval of resolution to contract and bond for Youth Sports Complex Water Main Project.