Director’sNote
CarrieWoerdeman,ExecutiveDirector
It’shardtobelievewearehalf-waythrough2024!
Summer construction season is in full swing here at HOME, Inc. and our Property Development and Construction team is working hard to deliver new homes and rehabilitate existing homes to ensure safe, stable housing is available for low-income familiesinourcommunity.
The Housing Counseling team has been digging in this spring to tweak processes andproceduresandadjustandexpanddeliverymethodsforourhousingcounselingand education programs so that we can reach more renters, potential homebuyers, and current homeowners in need of housing support. The second half of the year will see a continuedfocusoneducationalworkshopsaswestrivetoprovideHomebuyerEducation, RentWise, and Landlord and Property Manager training to an expanded audience and work to create a series of workshops aimed to help existing homeowners overcome obstaclestomaintainingsafeandstablehousing.
Jayson and the Service Enterprise team continue work to build a robust and sustainablevolunteerengagementprogramthatwillproviderewardingopportunitiesfor communitymemberstomakeapositiveimpactontheworkwedotoimprovethelivesof our clients. Look for more information coming soon about our Day of Service on September 11th, which will be a kickoff and celebration of our revamped volunteer program.
ThereareexcitingthingshappeningatHOME,Inc.andwearethrilledtohaveyour supportandpartnershipaswecontinueourworktocreateopportunitiesforsafe,stable, affordablehousing!
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES
WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE STUDENTS
Over 7600 Students at Build My Future!
BackinearlyApril,HOME,Inc.hadthepleasure of being a part of Iowa Skilled Trades’ 5th annual Build My Future event. Over 7,500 students from across the state had the opportunitytogivedifferentoccupationsatry, ranging from plumbing and heating to carpentry, heavy equipment operation, health care, and even construction. Students were abletolearnaboutwell-payingalternativesto fieldsthatrequireincreasinglycostlyfour-year college degrees, and get some hands on experience. We loved working with them and teachingthemaboutframing!
Over the course of the day, the students built 18panelscreating9wallsfor3garages!Inthe past,mostofwhatthestudentswouldbuildat the event wouldn’t have a purpose after. This year every panel the students helped to build will be going directly to a HOME, Inc. home, helping us create more affordable homes for low to moderate income individuals and families.
TRANSFORMING LIVES
CELEBRATING 57 YEARS OF SERVING DES MOINES!
Thisquarterwereachedour57thyearofHOME,Inc.!Sinceourstartin1967,we are still a small, local non-profit with our boots on the ground in Des Moines. We are proud of our history and dedicated to creating affordable housing opportunitiesforanyoneandeveryoneinourcommunity!
Whyaffordablehousing?ArchbishopDesmondTutuoncesaid:"Therecomes apointwherewehavetostoppullingpeopleoutoftheriverandgoupstream and find out why they are falling in." If houselessness is the river - one of the reasonspeoplearefallinginislackofqualityaffordablehousing,andlackof knowledgeinthehomebuyingprocessorrenting.HOME,Inc.notonlyfocuses on preventing houselessness by addressing the root causes of the issue, but dfamiliesreachthenextlevelofstabilityand peoplenotonlyavoidfallingintotheriver,but undationforabrighterfuture.
OUR PROGRAMS HOW WE CREATE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
1.Buildnew,affordablehomesforlow-moderate income families and individuals. Think teachers, single parents, young families, multi-generational families, marginalized communities, people with disabilities, etc. "Affordable" is a fluid term - that means something different from you to me. Affordableisnotjustthosewithoutanymeans.
2.HopeforStableFamilies–OurRentalAssistanceand Case Management program for families with children inschoolfacingevictiontohelppreventhouselessness andkeepkidsinschool.
3. Provide free Homebuyer Education classes and counseling so first time homebuyers feel empowered and are able to make educated decisions in the homebuyingprocess.
4. Provide free Tenant education and counseling so renters know their rights and responsibilities, and are better prepared get into a rental and to work with Landlords/PropertyManagers.
5. Metro Home Improvement Program - Main system repairs (Roof, siding, windows, water heater, electrical, HVAC,etc.)
EXCITING NEWS
NEW HOUSES ON THE WAY!
We currently have four new houses in development all around the Des Moines Metro, and one rehabilitation project! From multigenerational houses to rebuilding a house damaged by fire to designing an ADA accessiblehome,weareworkinghardtoserve the people of our community by meeting individuals and families where they’re at in their housing journey and building affordable housingthatsuitstheirspecificneeds. We know affordable housing is not just a matter of social justice, but essential for creating stable and thrivingcommunities.
PARTNERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Iowa Total Care
IowaTotalCareprovidesMedicaidhealthcare coverage to eligible individuals in Iowa. Established in 2019, Iowa Total Care exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. Iowa Total Care is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping peoplelivehealthierlives.
Check out their new Community Impact Page to learn more about all the good work they’ve doneforDesMoinesandIowa!
TEAM IRG
“HOME, Inc’s partnership with Junior Ibarra and Team IRG has been so valuable in creating opportunities for bothofourclientbase.TeamIRGisable to offer pre-purchase counseling to their potential homebuyers that need help starting the process, and HOME, Inc. has access to a talented and knowledgeable group of real estate professionals to serve our client base. Also, with Team IRG’s help, we are able to provide services to those in the Spanish speaking community of Des Moines. It has been an awesome experience.Ihavebeenabletoconnect withindividualsandfamiliesthatwould nothaveheardofHOME,Incotherwise.” –AndreaHarris, HomeownershipProgramCoordinator
Residents of Dallas, Guthrie, Jasper, Madison,Polk,orWarrenCounty: Help shape the future of Greater Des Moines by participating in this short survey to help us better understand the challenges and needs in our communities.
**To claim your giftcard: Complete the survey and either email a screenshot to staff@homeincdsm.org or bring it to our office on 6th Ave to prove you completed the survey. You must be a resident in the counties listed above. Giftcards available until theyrunout.
The City of Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency (DMMHA) Public Housing rental assistance program is now open!! DMMHA will be acceptingwaitlistapplicationsforall bedroomsizesuntilAugust17,2024.
ONLY PAPER APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED – https://bit.ly/3KCwVY5 ORcall515-323-8950
**Section8waitlistremainsclosed.
HOME, Inc. Apparel Store!
We are excited to announce the launch of our new apparel store, featuring a range of stylish and unique clothing items such as t-shirts, hoodies, hats, polos,andmore!Bypurchasingfromour store, you are not only supporting HOME, Inc., but you will also be able to spark meaningful conversations about our cause.Visitourstoretodayanddiscover the latest arrivals. Thank you for your support!
