Housing was the name of the game at the Ames City Council meeting Tuesday night. While owner-occupied and rental housing stole the show with nearly an hour-long debate, low-income housing conversations preceded the main event.

Right now, according to the Council, “one of the top housing impediments in the community is a shortage of rental units for lower-income households.” The Council approved two criteria for city staff to go and ask low-income neighborhoods, what they can do to improve the and build on the area. The two criteria were type and use and the zoning use of the area.

Tim Gartin brought up an issue in Iowa City where students who were claimed as dependents were living in these low-income rental units because they “had now income.”

“Issues might be controversial, so we want to get these out upfront. We want to give the people a chance to respond” – Steve Schainker, city manager.

Check online at the iowastatedaily.com and in today’s print edition for a full story from the City Council meeting.