Director’sNote
CarrieWoerdeman,ExecutiveDirector
As we close the second quarter of 2026, I am proud to reflect on the remarkablemomentumourorganizationcontinuestobuildinservicetoour community.
In just the final two weeks of June, we celebrated the closing of three new homes, marking meaningful milestones for the families who will now build theirfutureswithinthem.Theseclosingsareapowerfulreminderofwhyour workmattersandthelastingimpactstable,affordablehousingcreates.
The2026constructionseasonisalreadyofftoastrongstart.We’veinitiated 13newhomegroundbreakings,withfourhomesalreadyintheground.Each of these represents not only progress in expanding affordable housing, but alsothecollectiveeffortofourstaff,volunteers,andpartnerswhomakethis workpossible.
We were also honored to attend a ribbon cutting for the first three homes withintheCentralIowaCommunityLandTrust.Weareproudtobeapartner inbuildingthesehomes.Thismilestonesignalsanimportantstepforwardin ensuringlong-termhousingaffordabilityandstewardshipinourregion.
Behindthescenes,wecontinuetostrengthenouroperationstobetterserve our clients. We are preparing for the launch of new AI-driven technology to help make our initial reception more effective. This change is designed to enhance client service, while ensuring we make the most effective and responsible use of our operational resources to better serve our community and our mission. This innovation represents our commitment to thoughtful growthandcontinuousimprovement.
Additionally, we are pleased to share that we have received full three-year recertification as a HUD Housing Counseling Agency, accompanied by a clean report. This achievement reflects the integrity, professionalism, and dedicationofourhousingcounselingteam.
Lookingahead,planningisalreadyunderwayforour2026CommunityFence Build, an engaging volunteer opportunity that brings neighbors, partners, andsupporterstogetherintangibleactsofcommunitybuilding.
Finally, we are entering the final months of our partnership with our Project Iowa intern, whose contributions have been invaluable. This collaboration has been a meaningful investment in workforce development and a testamenttotheimportanceofcreatingpathwaysforemergingleaders.
Thank you for your continued support as we build homes, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity. The work accomplished this quarter isonlypossiblebecauseofthecollectivecommitmentwesharetomakinga difference.
Withgratitude,
Q2 HOMEOWNER SPOTLIGHTS
A LONG JOURNEY TO A VERY HAPPY ENDING
Twoyearsago,theCityofWestDesMoines reachedouttoHOME,Inc.aboutahouseanda homeownerinareallyhardsituation.Thehouse hadbecomeunlivableandunsafeforthe92year oldhomeownerduetoamassamountofclutter.
HOME,Inc.workedwiththecityto1.)bringin volunteersandgointothehomeandfind/rescue importantbelongingslikefamilyheirloomsand valuablesforthehomeowner.And2.)buythe homeatmarketratefromthehomeowner,and demothehousetobuildanewhomeandanew opportunityforafamilyontheproperty.Two yearslater,afterthehardworkofourvolunteers, propertydevelopmentteam,andhousing counselors-wehavefinallyfinishedconstruction ofthehomeandanewfamilyhasmovedin!
Aliandhisfamilyhavebeendiligentlyworking andsavingtobeabletopurchasetheirforever home.Withthehelpofourhousingcounselors, theyworkedtoestablishandbuildtheircredit, budget,andpreparetobeahomeowner!Their perseveranceanddisciplinetokeeptotheir budgetandchangetheirfamily’slivesforever wasinspiringtowatch.Throughtheupsand downstheymeteachchallengewithpositivity anddetermination.Theyarenowsettledintotheir homeandwecouldnotbehappierforthem!
FROM BASEMENT RENTING TO
HOMEOWNERSHIP
Joseandhisfamilywerelivinginarelative's basementwhentheyappliedforoneofour homes.Theywereworkinghard,butwiththe risingpriceofhouses,theyweren'tfindingany goodoptions.Whentheyfoundourhomes theywereexcitedthattherewasapossibility ofowningabrandnewhomeatanaffordable price.Theyappliedandwereselectedforthe purchaseofoneofourhomes!Theyalso enteredintoourpre-purchasecounseling programtopreparethemforhomeownership. Incounselingtheyworkedtoraisetheircredit, budget/save,andlearnedaboutthenew responsibilitiestheywouldhaveasa homeowner.Constructionisfinallyfinished andwearethrilledtosaytheyofficiallyown andhavemovedintotheirnewhome!(AKA theirnewcastle,astheirgirlscallit.)
DREAMS TO REALITY
Channonandherfamilywererenterslivingin lessthanidealconditions.Theirbuildingwas fallingapartandnothingwasbeingdone. Channonappliedforoneofourhomes hopingtomakeabigchangeforherandher children.Theywereselectedandalsostarted pre-purchaseounseling.Channonworked hardtogetherfinancesinorderandkeepto thebudgetplanshemadewithherhousing counselor.Sometimesworking60-80hoursa week.shewasdeterminedtomakeher dreamarealityforherselfandherfamily.We arehappytosayherhardworkand determinationpaidoffandsheisnowthe proudownerofherownhome!
A WORD FROM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
KELSEYLEAHY,PROPERTYDEVELOPMENTCOORDINATOR
ThefundsthatcamefromtheAmericanRescue PlanAct(ARPA),whichpassedin2021,allowed ustobuildfivenewsingle-familyhomes.Allfive homeshavecompletedconstruction,and familieshavemovedintothreeofthehouses. Thefundsallowedfortheconstructionofthe homesaswellasdownpaymentassistanceto enablethefamiliestopurchasethehomeatan affordableprice.Wearealsoexcitedthattwoof theseARPAfundedhomeswerebuiltin partnershipwithInvestDSMandaresomeofthe firsthomesgoingintotheCentralIowa CommunityLandTrust.TheARPAfundshave beenvitalinourmissiontobuildmore affordablehomesinDesMoines,andweare gratefulforthelastingimpactinourcommunity.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
THANK YOU!
A NEW WAY TO BUILD
Wearealwayslookingforwaysto refineourprocessesandbebetter stewardsofourresources.This constructionseasonwehave switchedtoanewwayofframing thatisimprovingourtimingand abilitytobuildaqualityhome exponentially.WeareworkingwithEPS Buildingstohaveourwallpanelsand trussesbuildanddeliveredtoour constructionsites,fromtheirour framersareabletoquicklyframeand assembleourhomes.Thisquarterour firsthomesarebeingbuiltusingthis methodandwhatwouldnormally take2-3weeksisnowtakingonlya matterofdays!Wearethrilledwith howmuchtimethisnewprocessis savingandhowmuchmorewewill beabletodo.
We’rebeyondexcitedtoannouncethat HOME,Inc.hasbeenawardedagrantfrom thePolkCountyBoardofSupervisorsto replaceourstaff’saginglaptops.Withso manyofourcomputersonthefritzthiscould nothavecomeatabettertime!Weare incrediblygratefulfortheBoardof Supervisorsgenerosity.Thiswillhelpustobe abletocontinuetoserveourclientsandour community!
WearesoproudtopartnerwiththeCentralIowaCommunityLandTrust(CICLT)andbe apartofbuildingthemomentumasitgrowsandbeginstohitkeymilestones.InJune, thefirsthomesenteredtheCICLT!AllthreehomeswerebuildbyHOME,Inc.andweare thrilledtobeabletohaveourhomesintheLandTrustsotheycanbeaffordable permanentlyforeveryhomebuyerforgenerationstocome!
IfyouareinterestedinaHOME,Inc.homeANDbeingapartoftheCICLT,checkouttheir websiteathttps://www.ciclt.org/find-a-home!
OUR FIRST HOME TOUR
InJuneweheldthefirstofourAnnualHomeTour!Wehadawonderfultimeshowingthree ofourhomesunderconstructionincludingthefirstbuildofabrandnewblueprint designedbySlingshotArchitecture,andthefirstbuildofanInvestDSMplanwebuiltin partnershipinoneoftheirSpecialInvestmentDistricts!Guestsenjoyedhomemade appetizersandmocktailsastheylearnedmoreaboutourpropertydevelopmentand housingcounselingprogramswhiletouringourhomes.
Thankyoutoeveryonewhocameoutandjoinedus!
THANK YOU TO DAVID NELSON & JOHN CHARLES FOR SPONSORING THE BUS! WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTINUED GENEROSITY
