Our Neighborhood Newsletter - December 2025

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2025

Director’s Note

Carrie Woerdeman, Executive Director

As we close out 2025, I am proud to reflect on the meaningful impact we’ve made in our community. This year, we continued our work to fulfill our mission by empowering families through housing counseling, education, and affordable housing development. Together, we’ve helped more families take steps toward stability, opportunity, and homeownership.

Affordable Housing Development: By year’s end, we will have begun construction on 10 new homes, creating pathways to affordable homeownership for Central Iowa families.

Housing Counseling & Education: We continued to provide comprehensive counseling services—including homeownership counseling, rental housing counseling, and homelessness prevention support—ensuring that families at every stage of their housing journey had access to the guidance, resources, and education they needed to thrive.

Volunteer Engagement: Volunteers played a vital role in strengthening our community this year. Together, they completed two fence builds and six shed builds, projects that directly benefit low-income families, while also participating in multiple engagement opportunities that brought people together and reinforced the power of service.

Community Partnerships: We supported the launch of the Central Iowa Community Land Trust and continue to provide staffing to move that work forward. In addition, we are actively participating in the Blueprint to End Homelessness. Within this effort, our organization serves as the strategic lead for homelessness prevention, ensuring families receive the support they need before a housing crisis occurs.

Director’s Note

Carrie Woerdeman, Executive Director

Investing in the Future: We are hosting an intern through Project Iowa’s YouthWorks program who will work with us through the school year and into the summer, nurturing the next generation of leaders.

This year has been a testament to the strength of collaboration and the belief that housing is more than shelter—it’s the foundation for thriving families and communities. Thank you to our partners, volunteers, and supporters for making 2025 a year of growth, impact, and hope.

Here’s to building on this momentum in 2026!

HUNT FOR HOUSING 2026

SAVE THE DATE! Our 7th Annual Hunt for Housing is coming up fast! Join us this March to celebrate the work we’ve done in 2025! It's a fantastic opportunity to support our cause, connect with the community, and enjoy a memorable event. Be sure to mark your calendar, buy your tickets today, and join us in making a difference. We can't wait to see you there!

BECOME A SPONSOR If your organization is interested in making a lasting impact and helping us advance our mission, we invite you to become a part of our journey as a 2026 Hunt for Housing Sponsor.

Your support can help us innovate, grow, and create sustainable solutions to housing challenges in our community. Together, we can transform lives and build a future where everyone has access to a safe, affordable home. If you would like to partner with us and help to make this vision a reality please reach out to our Marketing and Community Engagement Coordinator, Jayson Shaffer – shaffer.jayson@homeincdsm.org

A WORD FROM OUR 2025 HUNT FOR HOUSING VISIONARY SPONSOR

We had the privilege of sitting down with Brett Smith, Des Moines Market President and Retail Bank Officer of Central Bank to discuss their dedication to fostering affordable homeownership and their impactful partnership with HOME, Inc. His insights reaffirm their deep-rooted commitment to building stronger communities through shared values and targeted initiatives.

In this exclusive interview, Brett shares his thoughts about our shared vision to increase accessibility to homeownership, and how Central Bank is working to contribute to this vision through support, expertise, or donations. Click the button below to read the full article and learn how our aligned values and dedicated collaboration are helping the future of housing in our city.

VOLUNTEERING OUR FENCE BUILD Back in October, we held another fence build for a family of eight. Around 30 volunteers joined us to work together to transform the family’s year and provide a safe place for their kids to play and grow. Throughout the day volunteers worked tirelessly to build a fence, setting posts, mixing cement, and ensuring the fence stood firm. As the framework took shape, volunteers nailed in panels and pickets, followed by a fresh coat of paint.

By the end of the day, we stood back to admire a transformation: a beautiful, secure fence that now encircles the yard, transforming the space into a safe haven for the family.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers whose time and energy made this project possible. A special thank you also goes to Wells Fargo for generously funding the entire initiative.

Their support and partnership were instrumental in making it possible for this family and their children to enjoy their yard with peace of mind.

PROJECT FUNDED BY

CELEBRATING NEW HOMEOWNERS! We are proud to share and celebrate the inspiring story of Saloman and Ashley, a hardworking family with six children who recently accomplished their dream of homeownership with the help of HOME, Inc. Their journey began when they were selected to purchase an affordable home through our program. From the start, they committed themselves fully, working closely with our HUD-certified Housing Counselor, Jaqueline, over seven months.

During this time, Saloman worked two jobs to help pay down their debt, and the entire family remained focused on their goals. Despite facing unexpected challenges, including being asked to move out of their rental home when the owner decided to sell, they stayed resilient and committed to their path. Their teamwork and determination paid off, and they made great strides in improving their finances by significantly reducing debt and raising their credit score.

Throughout their housing counseling journey, Saloman and Ashley learned valuable skills like how to fix their credit, creating an emergency fund, budgeting wisely, and understanding responsible credit use. Their dedication and perseverance demonstrate the power of using education, support, and community resources to turn challenges into opportunities.

Now, Saloman and Ashley have moved into their new home, grateful for the guidance and support they received. Their story shows what can be achieved with determination, teamwork, and the right assistance. HOME, Inc. is honored to have been part of their journey and looks forward to seeing them thrive in their new home.

COMMUNITY LAND TRUST 1ST ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING In November, the Central Iowa Community Land Trust (CICLT) proudly hosted its inaugural Annual Membership Meeting! What truly makes the CICLT special is its unwavering commitment to collaboration and community-driven leadership. The organization’s leadership reflects the voices of residents, homeowners, and neighborhood stakeholders, ensuring that community members have a meaningful say in shaping their own neighborhoods.

This historic event brought together community members, nonprofit leaders, city officials, and other local stakeholders to celebrate our vibrant community. Attendees participated in important decisions, including voting on the new board slate, updates to the bylaws, and membership dues.

COMMUNITY LAND TRUST

BECOME A MEMBER Members play a vital role in the Central Iowa Community Land Trust (CICLT).

Community Land Trusts are governed by their membership. By signing up to be a member you can play a leadership role in creating a community and housing market where everyone has a path to affordable homeownership. Members will also have access to special CICLT community programs, workshops, and events Join the CICLT and support the creation of more affordable housing in your neighborhood! Your membership will help to make more opportunities for homeownership for those who otherwise would be priced out - think teachers, service industry, nurses, single parents, young families, etc.

It takes a village. Help make your community, YOUR community.

Q4 HIGHLIGHTS GIVE BACK BASH WITH PRINCIPAL FOUNDATION This year, for Giving Tuesday, HOME, Inc. had the incredible honor of being invited by the Principal Foundation to participate in their Give Back Bash event. Together, Principal Foundation and HOME, Inc. designed a volunteer project that would directly benefit the families we serve. With Principal Foundations help we created Welcome Home Kits for the children of families who move into our affordable homes. These kits would include toys and activities to make moving into a new home exciting and fun for the kids.

Principal Foundation generously purchased all the materials needed for these kits. From colorful toys to engaging activities -- every item was carefully selected to bring joy to the kids. Throughout the day, at the Give Back Bash, Principal Foundation employees volunteered decorating and filling the Welcome Home Bags with the donated items.

Creating Welcome Home Kits is more than just giving toys. It’s about welcoming families into a new chapter of their lives with warmth and care. Moving can be stressful, especially for children, and these kits help ease that transition by offering something fun and comforting.

We are deeply grateful to Principal Foundation for inviting us to be part of this special event. Their generosity, their volunteers’ dedication, and the spirit of collaboration made the day unforgettable. Together we are building stronger communities and brighter futures for families in need!

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAY, AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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