DES MOINES - Communities across Iowa are slated to receive a total of nearly $1.2 million for affordable housing projects through Gov. Chet Culver's I-JOBS infrastructure improvement program.

Culver announced Tuesday that projects in Sioux City, Waterloo, Waverly, Onawa, Iowa City, Red Oak and Avoca will receive money.

"These awards will create or preserve 85 units of affordable housing in Iowa, providing safe and decent living conditions for many individuals and families," Culver said in a statement.

The money comes from affordable housing assistance grant funds, a part of the I-JOBS program.

Awards include:

- The Siouxland Habitat for Humanity in Sioux City was awarded $525,000 to assist in the construction of four single-family homes in Sioux City and one in Onawa. The award also will be used to acquire and rehabilitate six single-family homes in Sioux City.

- The Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity was awarded $120,000 to assist in the construction of four new single-family homes in Waterloo and the acquisition and rehabilitation of two homes in Waverly.

- The Housing Fellowship in Iowa City was awarded $141,000 to rehabilitate and make energy efficiency improvements to 21 existing affordable rental units in Iowa City.

- The city of Red Oak was awarded $50,000 to assist the city's efforts to rehabilitate and make energy efficiency improvements to a 48-unit affordable housing complex for elderly residents.

- Avoca Community Betterment was awarded $350,000 to acquire and rehabilitate a historic downtown property into seven one-bedroom affordable rental units.