DRA’s $200,000 Grant Empowers Habitat for Humanity in Dubuque

According to a press release, in a vital move to combat the lack of affordable housing, the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA) Board approved a generous $200,000 Mission Grant to Habitat for Humanity - Dubuque and Jackson Counties in September of 2022. The grant aims to facilitate the acquisition of land for the Mt. Pleasant Pocket Neighborhood Project in Dubuque's Wood Street neighborhood.

After much planning and negotiations spanning a year, the sale was recently finalized, marking a significant stride toward realizing the project's vision. The DRA, a non-profit entity operating Q Casino and co-licensee for Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, officially presented the $200,000 check to Habitat for Humanity during their November board meeting.

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"We are so pleased with the generous donation DRA has made and are very appreciative of their interest in supporting our efforts to bring affordable housing to the community. There is a great need for this type of housing locally, so DRA's help in making this happen is timely." 

-Rachel Daack, Interim Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity - Dubuque and Jackson Counties

The three-acre parcel of land is slated to host 14 single-family homes, offering a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom floor plans. These options were designed not only to address immediate housing needs, but provide long-term solutions by controlling housing costs and fostering home ownership opportunities for families. Habitat for Humanity plans to commence construction on the first four homes in 2024, with additional phases contingent on donor partnerships, in-kind donations, and volunteer availability.

“Given our community's need for more affordable housing, we are pleased to be able to help support Habitat for Humanity's ongoing efforts. This project, which will result in the completion of a number of homes, will clearly make a positive difference on the community and should help Dubuque grow its workforce. The DRA has a long history of partnering with organizations who want to be a positive catalyst for improvement and change in the community and we are proud of our continued philanthropy and firmly committed to being at the forefront of supporting efforts that not only have a positive impact on growth and change in Dubuque, but also the tri-state area. Given this, providing funding that helped secure land for the future development of affordable housing fits well with our own mission and goals when it comes to giving back."

-Alex Dixon, President & CEO of the DRA and Q Casino

The DRA's commitment to community development spans decades, with over 5,000 grants awarded to more than 1,500 organizations in the tri-state area since 1985. The funds for such initiatives are sourced from the proceeds of Q Casino and Diamond Jo Casino, establishments that draw tens of thousands of visitors to Dubuque annually.

The DRA, through its gaming and entertainment facilities provides for social, economic and community betterment and lessens the burden of Dubuque city and area government, while contributing to the growth and viability of Dubuque area tourism. This collaborative effort between the DRA and Habitat for Humanity exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in addressing critical societal issues, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for the Dubuque community.