May 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 Affordable Housing in 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

July 19, 2013

October 18, 2013

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PCHTF is featured in the Center for Community Change Spring Newsletter. Click the icon to read.

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Issue: May 2013

Affordable Housing Week a Success

PCHTF sponsored its first Affordable Housing Week April 15th through the 20th. Much of this eNewsletter is devoted to a review of those activities. In addition to the Design Star competition and the Can I Be Your Neighbor Campaign launch, the Mayors' Honor Roll included the Mayors of all major cities in Polk County signing Proclamations of support, and the jointly sponsored DART/PCHTF Bus Tour attracted the largest crowd of community leaders of any tour to date. Thanks to all those who participated and helped make AHW a success!

Other News

Before & After

Neighborhood Spotlight - River Bend

Anawim Housing has homes in neighborhoods all over the Des Moines metro: south side, northeast side and in central Des Moines. Each neighborhood has its own personality, character and history. In each neighborhood, Anawim Housing homes strive to adhere to the character of the neighborhood - building or renovating to keep the cohesion of the neighborhood.

Affordable Housing Design Stars

Winners in a unique competition

Over 50 students participated, six finalists presented at the Pappajohn Center on April 20th, and three won awards in a competition to design an affordable home for a fictional Des Moines family. Pictured are the winners - Devin Robbins, Kullen Neyons, Joseph Bahnsen and Sirina Reed. What did the students win? And exactly what was the challenge?

Campaign Canvasses Communities

Can I Be Your Neighbor Raises Awareness and Provides You an Opportunity

Billboards are up and DART buses are rolling with the Can I Be Your Neighbor campaign sharing stories of people and professions who qualify for affordable housing. Launched at the start of Affordable Housing Week, April 15th, the campaign was introduced through newspaper, radio, a special website and posters. Those posters are now available to YOU, at no cost, to have and display at your office and any place that would also like to share their belief that people in our communities should have access to safe, stable and affordable housing.

700 volunteers brave weather and tackle 32 homes

Wells Fargo National Rebuilding Day - In Central Iowa

A Ryan Companies team volunteer stepped outside of the home they were working on and declared the weather was nice, above 40 degrees and just a misting of rain - no snow! This optimistic attitude prevailed among the 700 volunteers from many companies who worked on 32 homes in the Greater Des Moines area May 4th.

Affordable Housing Design Star has "The Floor"

Discussion with 17 year-old Winner

Des Moines East High School and Central Academy student Joseph Bahnsen was awarded a $2,000 scholarship and top honors for an affordable home he designed.

Q: You will be graduating this month and going to ISU in the fall to study architecture - as a child, what were some early indications that you had a passion for architecture?

A: As long as I can remember I have been fascinated by buildings and just about every picture I drew included buildings. One of my earliest memories regarding the beauty of a building was...

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Supported by United Way of Central Iowa