An affordable housing conference co-hosted by Iowa State will be discussed at the Ames City Council meeting Tuesday.

A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy, a non-profit community organization in central Iowa, has asked City Council to partner with Iowa State and Story County to host a day-long conference on creating affordable housing in Ames and throughout the county.

Iowa State has already agreed to participate in the conference and has offered $5,000 in support of the costs for the conference. A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy has asked that Ames match the university’s contribution and that both Iowa State and the Ames City Council commit a staff member to participate on the planning committee for the conference.

The Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau will also provide conference-planning assistance.

A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy said the conference will “focus on programs, solutions and strategies that will promote housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income citizens in Ames and Story County.”

City Council members have said that one of their goals is to create affordable housing opportunities for students, young professionals and families in Ames. The council previously agreed to investigate ways to encourage and increase the availability of affordable housing.

A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy said it hopes to gain the city’s support in conjunction with Iowa State’s to lend credibility to the conference.