PCHTF opens application for second round of Develop the Developer Launchpad

Applications are open today for a second session of the multifamily development boot camp that is part of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund’s Develop the Developer Launchpad.

This intensive two-week program offers people with interest and experience in real estate or property development the opportunity to gain skills and build relationships to make their housing ideas a reality.

The boot camp uses a national curriculum developed by Freddie Mac with numerous local developers and housing experts participating as instructors and presenters. Develop the Developer Launchpad is presented by Wells Fargo.

The first session of the Boot Camp took place in December 2025. Recently, the Des Moines Business Record shared perspectives from participants in the December session on what their experience was like.

ABOUT THIS SESSION

• WHO: The boot camp is designed for individuals with professional experience in the real estate industry (such as real estate sales, lending, property management, appraisals, etc.) who are interested in deepening their skills and relationships to succeed in multifamily development. Participants should reside in Polk County and must be available to participate in the entire two-week program.

• WHEN: Weekdays September 14-25, 2026 with project presentations and a graduation ceremony held October 2. Sessions typically last 1-5 p.m., but the September 14 session lasts until 8 p.m. and October 2 session is 4-8 p.m.

• WHERE: The French Way - 413 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313.

• COST: Participants are responsible for a $500 program cost.

HOW TO APPLY

• The program eligibility quiz (pre-application) is available at PCHTF.org/dtdl.

• Up to 30 seats are available in this session which will be filled on a rolling basis.

• Should the program’s capacity not be reached, the deadline to apply is August 10, 2026.

• For assistance or if you have questions, contact Julian D. Neely at jneely@pchtf.org.

A second phase of Develop the Developer Launchpad, a multi-month development fellowship, was announced in April and is currently underway. The first group of fellows, who were selected from previous boot camp graduates through a rigorous application process, are taking part in a co-development experience with DEV Partners. PCHTF’s investment in the co-development project includes an investment in the form of a repayable loan to the development operating entity on behalf of the fellows and made possible by a grant from Wells Fargo.

While PCHTF anticipates offering additional fellowship opportunities for boot camp graduates, the timing and availability of those opportunities remain to be finalized. The boot camp is available as a stand-alone opportunity.

PCHTF announces co-development fellows in next phase of Developer Launchpad

(L to R) Chris Wilson, Liz Schelling, and Jasmine Brooks are announced as co-development fellows during PCHTF's annual Housing Matters Symposium in April.

The Polk County Housing Trust Fund (PCHTF) has announced the next phase of its Develop the Developer Launchpad, presented by Wells Fargo, a new program to support emerging multifamily developers.

In December, the program graduated its first cohort of developers through a two-week intensive boot camp. The experience provided exposure to a variety of key development skills, the opportunity to build relationships with local leaders, and platform to apply new skills through a group project.

Now, through an extensive application process, three graduates of the boot camp have been selected for an intensive co-development fellowship with local firm DEV Partners while simultaneously working toward their own housing development proposal.

“Develop the Developer Launchpad has become a transformative opportunity for emerging multifamily developers, which was the intention,” said Julian Neely, PCHTF’s director of advancement and community investment. “We are delivering not only educational opportunities but in addition, a unique point of pride for us about this program is the direct opportunity for joint venture development projects with capital attached. This investment is possible thanks to the generosity of our program funders.”

The following individuals have been selected for the program’s inaugural co-development fellowship:

• Jasmine Brooks (Brooks Homes) is a real estate developer and the founder of Brooks Homes, LLC., a residential development company serving the state of Iowa. With over a decade of experience spanning roles as a licensed realtor, property owner, and builder, Jasmine brings a uniquely comprehensive perspective to every project she undertakes.

• Elizabeth (Liz) Schelling (HBU Development) is a real estate professional and developer based in Polk City, Iowa. She has over a decade of experience in commercial development, site strategy, financial modeling, and cross-functional leadership. She is the co owner of HBU Development, where she sources, negotiates, and delivers commercial projects across the Midwest, specializing in quick service restaurants and convenience stores.

• Chris Wilson (C3 Equity Partners) is a husband, father, and entrepreneur with wide-ranging experience spanning the restaurant industry, transportation, insurance and business development. Chris is an active real estate investor who approaches opportunities with intention and a long-term mindset. He is passionate about using real estate as a tool for stability, access, and community impact.

As part of the project, the fellows will participate in the development of a 12-unit housing project with local firm DEV Partners in the Drake Neighborhood of Des Moines with an anticipated opening in September 2027.

“We wanted to take them through the entire process from beginning to end, and we hope the relationships developed between the fellows and our community partners stretch far into the future,” said Danny Heggen, CFO of DEV Partners who has helped steward the developer launchpad program since its creation and was selected to lead the co-development opportunity. PCHTF’s investment in the project will include equity investments as loans in the name of each of the fellows supported by Wells Fargo.

A second session of the two-week developer boot camp is planned for September. For ongoing updates about the program and to sign up to stay informed, visit PCHTF.org/DTDL.

Develop the Developer Launchpad: A New Initiative for Multifamily Real Estate in Polk County

Registration Now Open for the Develop the Developer Launchpad

The Polk County Housing Trust Fund (PCHTF) has opened registration for the first phase of its new Develop the Developer Launchpad. This initiative aims to cultivate emerging multifamily real estate developers in Polk County.

The Develop the Developer Launchpad, presented by Wells Fargo, is a two-phase initiative. It includes a two-week boot camp and a multi-month fellowship. Recently, PCHTF was named an authorized partner for Freddie Mac’s Develop the Developer Academy. This allows DTDL to be among the first programs in the country to use the new Freddie Mac multifamily developer curriculum for its local two-week boot camp.

Julian Neely, PCHTF’s director of advancement and community investment, stated, “We know Polk County has a large need to rehabilitate and construct housing for the purpose of affordability, attainability, and stability. This launchpad will cultivate a talent pipeline of community-centric multifamily developers with the knowledge, resources, relationships, and capability to take on neighborhood-scale housing developments.”

Boot Camp Registration Details

Registration for the two-week boot camp is open now and will remain available until November 15, or until capacity is reached. Interested individuals must complete a pre-registration questionnaire to determine eligibility for the program.

Participants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Polk County resident

• Demonstrate real estate industry experience

• Commit to the two-week classroom experience

• Submit a $500 fee at the time of registration

  
  

The application and program details are available at www.pchtf.org/dtdl.

The inaugural boot camp cohort will convene on December 1, 2025. This two-week program will provide participants with foundational knowledge in multifamily development. They will also gain access to industry experts and resources to become community-centric multifamily developers in Polk County.

Fellowship Opportunities for Graduates

Boot camp graduates will be eligible to apply for the DTDL’s second phase. This phase is a rigorous joint venture development fellowship, beginning in Spring 2026. This experience will pair fellows with seasoned local developers in Polk County to complete a joint venture development.

Danny Heggen, a local developer advising the new effort, said, “We are really thinking ahead in terms of how do we have public-private partnerships to pursue equity and education around being a developer, an experience around being a developer.”

Community Involvement and Support

The Develop the Developer Launchpad is a community-focused program. It involves numerous community partners and real estate industry experts. The following local leaders have volunteered their time to assist PCHTF in developing and offering this new program:

| Name | Affiliation |

|---------------------|-----------------------|

| Britney Appelgate | Wells Fargo |

| Danny Heggen | Dev Partners |

| Malcolm Hankins | City of Des Moines |

| Kuuku Saah | Ntonan RE |

| Marvin DeJear | DeJear, Inc. |

| Molly Cutler | Cutler Development |

| Scott Cutler | Cutler Development |

| Frank Levy | Newbury Living |

| Jed Gammell | High Street Insurance |

| Larry James | Conveyance Law |

| Dan Drendel | Slingshot Architecture |

| Taylor Hays | Slingshot Architecture |

| Jake Christensen | Christensen Development |

| Steve Wilke-Shapiro | Sequel Architecture |

| James Spiller | Iowa State University |

| Mike Urquhart | Security National Bank |

| Joseph Bergman | JLL |

| Anthony Pawnell | DMACC |

Complete program information is available at www.pchtf.org/dtdl or by contacting Julian Neely at jneely@pchtf.org.

The Importance of Multifamily Development

Multifamily development is crucial for addressing housing shortages. As cities grow, the demand for affordable housing increases. Programs like the Develop the Developer Launchpad are essential for training new developers. They ensure that the housing needs of the community are met.

Future Prospects for Participants

Participants in the Develop the Developer Launchpad will gain valuable skills. They will learn about project management, finance, and community engagement. These skills are vital for successful development projects. Graduates will be better equipped to tackle the challenges of the real estate market.

Conclusion

The Develop the Developer Launchpad represents a significant step forward for Polk County. By investing in education and training, PCHTF is fostering a new generation of developers. This initiative will help create affordable housing and strengthen communities.

For more information, visit www.pchtf.org/dtdl or contact Julian Neely at jneely@pchtf.org.