Today's Housing

We made a rare trip outside Polk County because we wanted to share this conversion of a historic school to housing in nearby Winterset, Iowa. Historic adaptive re-use of treasured community buildings protects community heritage and creates one of a kind living experiences but brings complex challenges to secure needed funding. Now known as Winterset High School Apartments, the property will offer 27 independent living apartments for people age 55+. Today's Housing takes you inside local affordable housing projects with the people who built them, offering an on-the-ground perspective on the benefits housing development offers communities.

Sixth Avenue Flats brings 42 new workforce housing apartments to the Sixth Avenue Corridor in the River Bend neighborhood in Des Moines. The property boasts a unique supportive services partnership with Youth Shelter & Services (YSS) that will allow youth in foster care to live in the building and access counseling and other services on-site while pursuing educational opportunities and career training at DMACC's Urban Campus, which is just south of University Avenue, more or less across the street.

Union 315 adds 10 new apartments in the popular Historic Valley Junction neighborhood, the original heart of West Des Moines. Owner/developer Ryan Wiederstein explains the building offers a mix of uses and will be home to office, retail, food and beverage as well as residential tenants. Through an upper story housing program developed by the City of West Des Moines, a majority of apartments have income restrictions to ensure they remain attainable for the surrounding neighborhood. Leasing information is available at https://www.vjunion315.com

HOME, Inc recently completed this brand new 4 bedroom home that checks in at just over 1500 square feet in the River Bend neighborhood of Des Moines. HOME, Inc. is the city's oldest affordable housing nonprofit and helps improve neighborhoods by adding quality housing sold at a price that's affordable to buyers with income at or under 70% of the typical income for Polk County. This gorgeous new home includes a basement that can be finished to add a fifth bedroom, two full baths, a detached two car garage, generous yard, and features to meet all the standards of the local historic district.

In December 2021, TWG Development and local nonprofit Dream Catcher opened a 43 apartment mixed income property on Douglas Avenue in Urbandale. The new apartments are a critical housing choice for people and families interested in living near Merle Hay Mall or the many job opportunities on Douglas Avenue.

In November 2021, Central Iowa Shelter and Services opened a 24 apartment expansion of its main shelter location on Mulberry Street in Des Moines. The new apartments will provide additional affordable housing intended to serve as a step between someone being unhoused or living in the shelter to living in a more permanent apartment home.