HOME, Inc.

HOME, Inc.

Home Opportunities Made Easy, Inc. (HOME, Inc.)

Nearly 40 years ago, a group of Des Moines-area citizens concerned about the lack of decent, affordable housing decided to do something about it. Their efforts resulted in the founding in 1967 of Home Opportunities Made Easy, Inc., which is the oldest private, non-profit housing organization in Des Moines.

HOME, Inc., as it is commonly known, creates opportunities for quality affordable housing to help people improve their housing situation and become self-sufficient. To this end HOME, Inc. develops affordable housing to provide homeownership opportunities, housing counseling to enable people to obtain and retain housing; education to help people prevent housing problems; and advocacy to improve or create affordable housing programs for low income people.

HOME, Inc.’s cornerstone program is its lease/purchase service. Low income families rent with an option to purchase their homes. During the leasing period families stabilize and improve their financial situations and develop homeownership skills. Currently 10 families are participating in the service. In its nearly 40 years, scores of local families have had a chance to move from rental properties to home ownership with the help and guidance of HOME, Inc. More than 90% of those families purchase and retain their homes.

HOME, Inc.

In the past year HOME, Inc. has served:

  • 2,800 Households through housing counseling
  • 750 People through educational services
  • 68 Households participated in homeownership assessments

Family incomes: Households

  • 54% < 30% MFI ($0-$20,450) (2 of which were $0 income)
  • 21% 31-50% MFI (20,451-$34,050)
  • 12% 51-80% MFI (34,051-$54,500)

Property Development

  • 8 Properties built or rehabbed
  • 25 Owner Occupied Repairs projects
  • 16 Families in Lease/Purchase or Contract Sales
  • 4 Families in Turn-key Purchase

HOME, Inc.

Since 2006...

PCHTF has provided $1,449,500 in support for projects and services of HOME, Inc.