Polk County Housing Trust Fund

10/30/2026

Tuesday next week is Election Day! Thanks to DART for helping Central Iowans exercise their right to vote.

Take DART to the polls! We're proud to offer free rides on all DART fixed bus routes next Tuesday, November 3, to help you vote on Election Day.

You don't need a special pass or code - simply board a bus on Election Day and ride for free.

We will begin collecting fares again on Wednesday, November 4. DART On Demand is not included in this promotion.

Learn more at rideDART.com.

10/30/2026

How can we help others succeed in housing? For community health workers and many others, this isn’t an abstract question. They’re on the front lines, helping people facing housing instability or the potential loss of their homes navigate their next steps.

Thanks to HOME, Inc., HealthTeamWorks, Polk County Health Department, and MolinaCares, a new must-watch training on supporting clients—including an overview of landlord-tenant law—is now available for free on demand.

If you’ve faced challenges with your lease, apartment maintenance, or similar housing issues—or if you advise others navigating these challenges—this training is for you!

To access the training, visit the link below and scroll down to the October 28 session, “Helping Clients Stay Housed.”

CHW Learning and Network Collaborative (Iowa) With partnership funding from Molina Healthcare, HealthTeamWorks launched the CHW Learning and Network Collaborative—a no-cost opportunity for Iowa Community Health Workers (CHWs) to build skills, connect with peers, and support one another. In this ph...

10/29/2026

We are pleased that our recent project, Housing Sites of Opportunity, has received a "Best Practice Award" at the American Planning Association's Quad State Planning Conference happening now in Kansas City.

Housing Sites of Opportunity looked at vacant and underutilized land in Polk County communities suitable for redevelopment as housing. It's available for download now at PCHTF.org/missingmiddle.

We thank our project collaborators from Confluence and Capital Crossroads (CXR) for their support of the project, which was funded by Wells Fargo.

10/19/2026

This is a frequently requested training topic among local caseworkers and other social service professionals - so please share this within your networks as needed!

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

Discover how DART's volunteer Transit Riders Advisory Committee (TRAC) provides rider feedback and helps shape public transit decisions in the Des Moines Metro.

10/15/2026

Changes are coming to the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan.

Beginning December 1, 2026, some people applying for coverage may need to meet new work, education, training or volunteer requirements. For current members, the requirements will begin as they complete their Medicaid renewals in 2027.

If you have this coverage:

* Make sure Iowa Medicaid has your current contact information.
* Watch for letters and messages from Iowa HHS.
* Keep track of work, school, training or volunteer activities.
* Do not assume you will lose coverage if you receive a notice.

Learn more and find steps you can take now:
https://phciowa.org/iowa-medicaid-community-engagement-requirements/

10/14/2026

We checked out the new Townhall Apartments in the 6th Avenue Corridor in the City of Des Moines and now you can see inside in our new video tour.

The Trust Fund is pleased to have supported this project through our multifamily development funding programs.

We're excited to celebrate the opening of Townhall Apartments, offe...

10/14/2026

Congratulations to Ntontan RE and Newbury Living on the opening of Townhall Apartments in the 6th Avenue Corridor of the City of Des Moines!

The property is a pair of buildings, the historic North Des Moines City Hall, which has been fully renovated after years of disrepair and near loss, as well as a new construction building with ground floor restaurant space. Tacos la Familia will be moving in soon from across the street.

The project was the winner of a past housing innovation competition by the Iowa Finance Authority which was a key breakthrough to making it possible. The Polk County Housing Trust Fund is pleased to show support through our multifamily funding programs.

We can't wait for residents to enjoy these beautiful new homes!

10/13/2026

With colder weather in the forecast, here's your reminder that Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) applications opened for priority groups on October 1.

Households with elderly or disabled members or those facing an energy crisis can apply for assistance starting October 1. Regular enrollment begins November 1.

LIHEAP serves households earning up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and income and program guidelines apply.

Polk County residents apply through IMPACT Community Action Partnership and can find additional details at impactcap.org or by calling 515-518-4770.

10/12/2026

Utility costs are an important part of housing affordability. Learn more about energy insecurity during this upcoming event from UpLift - Research to Inform Economic Mobility Solutions.

In Iowa, the average annual residential energy bill has increased 40% in 10 years, from $1,601 in 2016 to $2,244 in 2025. When households struggle to pay their energy bills and avoid being disconnected from the grid, they may accrue debt, forgo expenses on food, and use space heaters or ovens to warm their homes. These coping strategies can introduce significant physical and financial risks.

Join UpLift for a Community Conversation about Energy Insecurity in Iowa and what solutions, including ideas born from the ISU CommHEAT Team's local research, can help ensure families have access to meet their basic household energy needs.

Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/7naq2r3