Housing Helpers™
Restoring Iowa’s Housing, Accessibility, and Energy Systems
A CRC Initiative for Workforce Development, Sustainable Housing,
Rural Restoration, and Community Empowerment.
by Sondra Wilson. Published July 13, 2025. Updated July 25, 2025.
In loving memory of Frank Schiavo.
Housing Helpers™ isn’t a new organization — it’s a certification pathway for Iowa-based renovation and construction businesses to become CRC-Certified. Once certified, these businesses gain access to CRC Vouchers to purchase top-of-the-line materials and employee meals while contributing to vital housing projects outlined in the Right to Homestead Act.
🔧 What CRC-Certified Businesses Do
CRC-Certified businesses gain access to Vouchers and a slough of projects to choose from within the Right to Homestead Act, including
- Bringing apartments up to code for safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency — this includes reclaimed apartment buildings taken from out-of-state landlords.
- Constructing sustainable villages for unhoused Iowans using cob, papercrete, and other low-cost, high-efficiency materials.
- Installing energy-saving upgrades modeled by Environmental Studies Professor Frank Schiavo, including:
- Passive solar heating
- Thermal curtains
- Solar hot water
- Cool roofs
These upgrades reduce monthly utility bills, improve indoor air quality, and increase property value.
🏚️ First Activity: Reclaiming Rural Buildings for Iowa Fryerforce™ & BioFuel Mechanics™
The first task will focus on reclaiming and renovating old buildings in rural Iowa to serve as regional hubs for:
- Iowa Fryerforce™: A grassroots network that collects used cooking oil from restaurants and households to convert into biodiesel.
- BioFuel Mechanics™: Local repair shops that retrofit vehicles and farm equipment to run on biodiesel, while upholding Iowa’s Right to Repair Act.
These hubs will:
- Provide accessible repair services for farmers and residents.
- Convert diesel engines to run on fryer grease.
- Purify fryer grease and sell it just as a gas station would.
- Create skilled jobs in mechanical repair, retrofitting, and biodiesel processing.
By renovating existing structures, CRC-Certified businesses will preserve rural heritage while launching a new era of regenerative infrastructure.
💼 How It Works
- Local businesses apply for CRC Certification.
- Once approved, they receive CRC Vouchers to:
- Hire new employees
- Purchase CRC-approved tools and materials
- Cover crew meals and logistics
- In return, they commit to completing CRC housing and infrastructure projects statewide. Such projects are funded through CRC.
This model expands hiring capacity, supports local economies, and ensures high-quality renovations across Iowa.
🤝 Community Impact
- Reduces homelessness by building dignified, sustainable housing.
- Lowers energy bills for renters and homeowners.
- Creates jobs in construction, energy retrofitting, and materials manufacturing.
- Builds camaraderie between contractors and communities — turning renovation into restoration.
- Revitalizes rural towns through strategic reuse of existing buildings.
📈 Economic Projections
The integration of CRC apartment improvement teams with Iowa Fryerforce™ and BioFuel Mechanics™ is projected to generate substantial statewide economic growth through job creation, energy savings, and infrastructure reuse.
| Year | Annual Economic Impact | Cumulative GDP Gain | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | ~$575 million | ~$2.9 billion | Early-stage voucher circulation, rural hub renovations |
| 2035 | ~$1.05 billion | ~$8.1 billion | Fryerforce™ expansion, biodiesel production, growing repair sector |
| 2045 | ~$2.0 billion | ~$27.5 billion | Full CRC system integration—housing, fuel, mechanical restoration |
These projections assume:
- CRC Vouchers reach full circulation capacity across regions
- 60–70% restaurant participation in Iowa Fryerforce™ by 2035
- Retrofits of 25–40% of eligible farm and industrial equipment through BioFuel Mechanics™ by 2045
- Compounding local reinvestment from reduced fuel imports and household expenses
The combined economic impact supports long-term resilience while advancing energy independence and rural revitalization across Iowa.
These estimates include:
- Labor income from expanded hiring
- Energy savings reinvested into local economies
- Increased property values and tax revenue
- Reduced public spending on emergency housing and utilities
- Local fuel production and repair services under the Right to Repair Act
📚 References
Baharin, N. S. K., Koesoemadinata, V. C., Nakamura, S., et al. (2022). Production of Bio-Coke from spent mushroom substrate for a sustainable solid fuel. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 12, 4095–4104.
Ravlikovsky, A., Pinheiro, M. N. C., Kucheruk, P., et al. (2025). Spent Mushroom Substrate as a Renewable Energy Resource: Evaluating Its Biogas Production Potential. Sustainability, 17(5), 1800.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Anaerobic Digestion on Dairy Farms.
IEA Bioenergy Task 32. (2024). Emissions from Biomass Combustion.
Institute for Environmental Research and Education. (2025). Pollution Prevention Measures for Biomass Energy.
Wild Willpower PAC. (2025). The Sensible Housing Act.
Habitat for Humanity. (2023). Outcomes associated with homeownership.
Schiavo, F. (n.d.). Energy-saving housing design principles. Wild Willpower PAC.
Taylor, L. (2018). Housing and health: An overview of the literature. Health Affairs Health Policy Brief.
Glaeser, E. L., & Gyourko, J. (2005). Urban decline and durable housing. Journal of Political Economy, 113(2), 345–375.
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Photo of Sondra. Spring 2025.