NEOLA, Iowa (AP) — Two organizations in the western Iowa community of Neola are trying to improve the lives of the city’s older residents so they’ll remain in town. Lookout Village and the Neola Betterment Corporation are also aiming to create community growth, The Daily Nonpareil reported .

Betterment Corporation, which is essentially a housing board for senior citizens, was able to build a six-unit apartment building for seniors in the 1980s using money raised from an annual community celebration, a $20,000 grant, private donations and a no-interest federal loan, said Anna Killpack, who serves with both organizations.
Now the organization is planning to build seven cottages, four individual cottages and three duplex units for the area’s older residents wanting to downsize.

“We would like to start the infrastructure work on the site we’ve purchased for the cottage this fall, but that is going to be tight,” Killpack said. “If we don’t get that work done this fall, we’ll certainly get it done in the spring.”

Lookout Village is a nonprofit program that provides services to its community members, according to Killpack. Memberships in Lookout Village are available to seniors and persons with long-term and/or short-term disabilities. Lookout Village also hosts a walking club, tours area museums and holds other activities such as bingo to encourage social connections.

Memberships range from $27 to $275 per year. There are currently 18 members signed up for Lookout Village, and the group has been growing at a rate of one new member per week, on average, Killpack said.

“We’re an organization of neighbors helping neighbors,” she said. “We do things like help rake leaves, cook a meal or take a member to an appointment.”