New Work that Impacts Housing Program will build careers, improve housing

The Polk County Housing Trust Fund is pleased to announce the Work that Impacts Housing Program (WTIHP), a transformative program that bridges two urgent needs – workforce development and housing preservation.

Applications are now open for the program’s new building trades pre-apprenticeship track that helps adults gain useful career skills. Adults age 18+ who have obtained a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience are eligible to join a paid pre-apprenticeship program lasting a total of about 4 months. The program includes two phases providing first-hand experience in both residential and commercial construction settings.

“The Work That Impacts Housing Program is intended to positively transform low-to moderate-income homeowners’ homes to be healthier and safer, while positioning Polk County adults eager for a sustainable career,” said Julian Neely, director of advancement and community investment at the Polk County Housing Trust Fund. “This is a beautiful partnership and collaboration between regional entities generating feasible solutions for housing preservation and workforce development efforts.”

First, in partnership with the City of Des Moines, pre-apprentices will take part in paid educational and on-site training for five weeks. During this time, they will complete the TradesFutures Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) instructed by Forest Avenue Outreach. They will also gain on-site residential construction experience assisting the City of Des Moines’ Improving Our Neighborhoods (ION) program by assisting with interior single-family home repairs for low- and moderate-income Des Moines homeowners alongside licensed City contractors.

After five weeks in this phase, pre-apprentices will transition to a three month commercial phase on either an electrical or carpentry track, in partnership with the Local 106 Carpentry Union or I.B.E.W. Local 347. During this phase, they will be hired as pre-apprentices and obtain job experience with contractors like Tri-City Electric and Baker Electric.

The Work that Impacts Housing Program will provide a wealth of experience, from earning the MC3 certification to gaining skills and knowledge toward obtaining a national recognized building inspection license or obtaining an in-demand career in the building trades.

“This opportunity benefits everyone involved,” City of Des Moines property improvement administrator Dan Grauerholz said. “Residents receive needed repairs that would typically fall outside the scope of our work, contractors gain additional support with materials, and pre-apprentices get valuable hands-on experience in a field they are working to enter.”

Applications are now open through this opportunity at https://dsm.city/wtihp and are being accepted until May 19 at 4:00 p.m. Six pre-apprentices will be selected for the initial program. Additional program information can also be found at https://pchtf.org/work or by contacting PCHTF’s director of advancement and community investment, Julian Neely, at jneely@pchtf.org.

The Polk County Housing Trust Fund is proud to provide the funding and resources to compensate for pre-apprentices and necessary home repairs for LMI homeowners in our community. Thank you to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the Principal Foundation, Nationwide, and Bank of America for making this program possible.