March 2013 eNewsletter

Contact Us

108 3rd Street

Ste. 350

Des Moines, IA 50309

Phone: (515) 282-3233

Fax: (515) 282-8444

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The Housing Trust Fund is the comprehensive planning, advocacy and funding organization for Polk County, Iowa

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Find previous issues of our eNewsletter in the eArchive.

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2013 Bus Tour Dates Announced

Save the Dates

April 19, 2013

July 19, 2013

October 18, 2013

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Click icon for a complete list of honorees

Congratulations to Tony Timm, Executive Director of Central Iowa Shelter & Services for being selected to this year's Forty under 40 class!

See the full list of 40 local business leaders under the age of 40 who, according to the Des Moines Business Record have "demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement."

The annual recognition event is Tuesday, March 12th, 4 - 7 PM at the Sheraton in West Des Moines (50th & University)

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Issue: March 2013

Affordable Housing Week Announced

Events Highlight Benefit of Affordable Housing

The Polk County Housing Trust Fund, the comprehensive planning advocacy and funding organization for affordable housing has released the calendar of events for its 2013 Affordable Housing Week, April 15th through the 20th. Affordable Housing Week is designed to highlight the benefits safe, stable, and affordable housing bring to the community. Affordable Housing Week activities are highlighted in this eNewsletter.

Other News

Affordable Housing "Design Star"

Area High School Students Challenged to Design Affordable Home

Over 60 area high school students are participating in a competition to design an affordable home for a fictional Des Moines family. The competition is part of Affordable Housing Week being sponsored by the Polk County Housing Trust Fund.

Register for Affordable Housing Week Bus Tour

Learn about the connections between affordable housing and public transportation.

The PCHTF is now taking reservations for the first of three scheduled Bus Tours during 2013. This spring's tour will be held as a part of Affordable Housing Week, April 15th through the 20th. To register for the April 19 Bus Tour email Carol Duncan at cduncan@pchtf.org To see information on previous tours:

Apartments Expensive, Hard to Find

Report reinforces critical need for adding affordable rental units

CBRE | Hubbell Commercial's 2013 report on area apartment costs and vacancies is out and shows that in just a year the average monthly rent for a two bedroom apartment in the metro area has risen from $734.00 to $758.00. During the same period the number of vacant apartments for rent has fallen from 5.7% to 4.6% of the total market. These latest figures are bad news for low and moderate income families seeking affordable housing.

Area Median Income Falls Dramatically

HUD's calculation of AMI will impact affordable housing

The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently released its 2013 determination of Area Median Income for Polk County. These figures are used
to determine the relative affordability of market rate apartments and to determine the rent on affordable units built with government subsidies.

Urban on Urban Core

Tom Urban Has the Floor

Former Des Moines mayor and past chairman, president and CEO of Pioneer Hi-Bred Tom Urban now serves as co-chair of the Urban Core Initiative of Capital Crossroads. What does he see as critical to revitalizing Des Moines' urban core? His recently published Opinion Editorial in the Des Moines Register included a headline that says it all.

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Supported by United Way of Central Iowa