Seeking to put God’s love into action, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity (GDM Habitat) brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. GDM Habitat is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. We are about building with people in need regardless of race or religion. We welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds.  In 2015 Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity partnered with the Des Moines community to build hope with 26 partner homebuyer families, giving 130 people including 75 children the greatest gift of all – a brighter future that they can make their own. Together we completed 160 home repairs, preservation, and weatherization projects with existing homeowners and in community areas through GDM Habitat’s Rock the Block® program. Including Rock the Block® repair projects, we have worked with more than 850 families since GDM Habitat’s inception in 1986.

Many residents of Greater Des Moines struggle daily with the lack of decent and affordable housing. More than 10,000 low-income families in our community are stuck in cost-burden rental situations they cannot afford. In neighborhoods with Habitat’s focus, more than one out of four homes are in need of repair to preserve the home or keep it at a basic level of safety. In Polk County, thousands of working families do not earn enough to qualify for a traditional mortgage. The average monthly payment for very low-income families would consume half of their monthly income. Rent is no better, the average monthly payment is a cost burden for 75% of this population.

Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, GDM Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homebuyer families.  GDM Habitat does not give away homes. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and other Habitat houses.  Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans.  The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses.  Habitat homeowner property taxes contribute to the local economy.  GDM Habitat ReStore sells new and gently used home improvement materials to the public at discount prices.  All proceeds benefit GDM Habitat’s mission of building homes, communities, and hope.