HOME, Inc.

10/19/2026

Housing is Healthcare!!

Iowa Community Health Workers (CHWs), join us on October 28 for our next CHW Learning and Network Collaborative!

Helping Clients Stay Housed: Understanding Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities

Housing stability plays an important role in health and well-being. CHWs are often among the first to recognize when clients are facing housing challenges and can play a key role in connecting them with support and resources.

Led by Carrie Woerdeman, Executive Director of HOME, Inc., this session will focus on Iowa tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities, common housing concerns, effective communication strategies, and practical resources CHWs can use to help clients maintain stable housing.

This session is presented by HOME, Inc., in partnership with Polk County Health Department and HealthTeamWorks.

The CHW Learning and Network Collaborative is made possible through partnership funding from MolinaCares, providing no-cost learning and networking opportunities for Iowa CHWs.

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
2:30–4:00 PM Central
Virtual via Zoom

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GpqWAh6gQCSYIgKJLrczwA #/registration

Learn more about HOME, Inc.: www.homeincdsm.org

We hope you'll join us!

10/15/2026

Matthea comes to us from the AARP's Senior Community Service Employment Program and quickly has become an instrumental part of our team!

Throughout her career, she was a trailblazer in advocacy and community service. She managed the campaign for the first African American woman elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives and was NAMI Minnesota's inaugural Director of African American Outreach. Additionally, she has represented Minnesota as a national delegate for the DFL Executive Committee on three occasions. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, she launched an innovative, first-of-its-kind program that integrated disaster relief with social case management, empowering evacuees to rebuild their lives in Minneapolis. This initiative connected nearly 95% of its participants to essential resources.

Her passion for service extends beyond her professional accomplishments and she is an active activist working with state and local chapters of the NAACP, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Iowa Citizens for Community Involvement, and more. We could not be happier that she decided to dedicate her time and service to helping us advance our mission and create more housing stability in Greater Des Moines and Iowa!

10/14/2026

We are so excited to introduce you to Jess, our new Housing Counseling Tead Lead! Jess will be helping to oversee our Housing Counseling Program, refine our processes and educational classes, and enhance not only our ability to provide services to those in need but enhance the services themselves. We could not be more thrilled to have her on the team!

"My name is Jess Stout, and I am the Housing Counseling Team Lead for HOME, Inc. I have worked in the Des Moines nonprofit field for over 7 years, including both administrative and direct service work. I have an associate’s degree in business administration from Kirkwood Community College, and a bachelor's degree in HR Management from Upper Iowa University. I am passionate about serving the unhoused and unstable housing communities, and I strive to make Des Moines and the surrounding areas better for everyone."

10/13/2026

Our quarterly newsletter is here! Check out what we've been up to here: https://issuu.com/homeincdsm/docs/our_neighborhood_newsletter_-_september_2026_

10/08/2026

There's still time to sign up for our FREE Homebuyer Education Class! Homebuying is complicated and stressful, but it doesn't have to be! Come learn from our HUD certified housing counselors how to navigate the process of buying a home!

Register for class: https://www.homeincdsm.org/homebuyer-education-classes

10/02/2026

This podcast episode goes over some incredible and innovative ideas/projects for improving housing in Central Iowa, including our partner the Central Iowa Community Land Trust!! Definitely give it a listen if you want to be in the loop about all the incredible work being done in Central Iowa!

09/15/2026

So incredibly proud of the work the Central Iowa Community Land Trust is doing and the partnership between us! We were so excited to be a part of this event and for the 51 homes we will be developing and placing in the CICLT next 2-3 years to create permanent affordability for homebuyers now and forever! Check out this article to learn more about what the CICLT is doing and how HOME, Inc. is involved in it's incredible mission!

In case you missed it last night the Central Iowa Community Land Trust (CICLT) hosted at Status Update for the community on the work the CICLT has done in the last two years and our future plans as we continue to grow and develop as an organization. Despite the storms, we had a nice turnout and a gr...

09/15/2026

An incredible opportunity for any Realtor to learn how to easily build their business while helping create housing stability and housing accessibility at the same time! Use this link to RSVP: https://www.ciclt.org/event-details/realtors-build-your-business-learn-about-the-ciclt

Realtors! Are you looking for a way to build your business while also helping your community and connect people to stable, affordable housing opportunities? Don't forget to RSVP for this Wednesday to come and learn about the CICLT and tour some of our homes! More details and RSVP in the link below!

https://www.ciclt.org/event-details/realtors-build-your-business-learn-about-the-ciclt

09/11/2026

The HOME, Inc. team had a wonderful time at this years Housing Iowa Conference hosted by Iowa Finance Authority! It was fantastic event and we loved being able to share ideas and connect with other housing professionals from across Iowa. We always enjoy the opportunity to learn more about the projects and opportunities in housing that other Iowans are passionately putting effort into. Proud to be a part of this work to help shape our communities and make a difference in Iowa!

09/03/2026

Our 3rd annual Day of Service is October 14th and 22nd! We are thrilled to share that, thanks to our Presenting Sponsor Wells Fargo, we will be providing two deserving families with a free fence!

Join us for a day of hard work and comradery as we construct and paint a fence. We have two shifts on each day for you to choose from. No experience necessary, we will teach you everything you need to know! Come volunteer and help us make a difference!

https://www.homeincdsm.org/volunteer