Low-income Families Experience Home Ownership

last updated on Thursday, April 16, 2020 in Affordable Housing

Sponsor

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity

The Need

In Des Moines’ Polk County, 25,000 working families don’t earn enough to qualify for a traditional mortgage.

Project Type

Home and Neighborhood Rehabilitation

Project Details

The Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity was awarded Competitive Affordable Housing Program funds in 2014 to provide homeownership opportunities for low-income buyers.

When rehabilitating a home for a low-income family, GDM Habitat brings all major components of the house up to like-new condition. This includes new appliances, re-shingling the roof, painting all interior walls, and many other key components. They assess the rest of the home is for its condition. Then they repair or replace remaining deficiencies. These include the foundation, windows and gutters, millwork, interior doors and cabinetry, plumbing fixtures and landscaping and grading at the exterior of the home.

The Results 

Making Dreams Come True

Having been rehabilitated into like-new condition with new appliances, roof, painting, and any needed structural update, five previously vacant homes now provide housing for working families and individuals.