Vote Yes for LOST: Local funding for local housing solutions

Vote Yes for LOST: Local funding for local housing solutions

On Nov. 4, voters in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty will decide whether to adopt a 1% Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) — a funding tool that gives our communities direct local control over critical investments. LOST ensures that half of all revenue provides property tax relief, while the remainder supports locally determined priorities, allowing each city to invest in housing, infrastructure, capital investment projects, and community partnerships that reflect residents’ values.

Affordable housing plays a central role in each city’s plan. Housing is considered “affordable” when households spend no more than 30% of their income on housing-related expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, and insurance. Typically, affo