Polk County Housing Trust Fund
Issue: October, 2013
Did You Know?

This month's featured graphic shows the percentage of Polk County's renter households in different income categories who are rent burdened, paying more than 30% of their income for rent; or severely rent burdened, paying over 50% of their income.

What is clear from this graphic is that extremely low income households are much more likely to be severely rent burdened than those of higher incomes.  The average extremely low income renter household in Polk County pays $626 in rent each month, or about two-thirds of their income.  These households clearly experience the most difficulty in finding housing that meets their needs at an affordable price.

New Housing Solutions
Valley Station
CHI breaks ground on WDM senior living project
Community Housing Initiatives, Inc. (CHI), the City of West Des Moines, Iowa Economic Development Authority and many others held the Valley Station groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Sept. 30. The groundbreaking signified the start of construction of the Valley Station project, a 52-unit senior living complex located adjacent to Historic Valley Junction.

More Affordable Housing News
Register Now for Our Fall Bus Tour!
PCHTF will highlight suburban housing issues
Because affordable housing is not only an issue for the urban core, our fall tour will take us to the western suburbs.  We will highlight housing challenges in West Des Moines, Urbandale, and Grimes and discuss how we can respond.  The tour will take place Friday, October 18 from 9 to 11:30 AM.  Register today by clicking the link below.  We hope to see you there!

CISS Celebrates One Year At New Facility
Open house to be held October 8
To commemorate its first anniversary at its new 1420 Mulberry St. location, Central Iowa Shelter & Services will be hosting an open house and facility tours from 9 to 11 AM on October 8.  To find out more information and RSVP, click the link below!
Staff Attends IFA's HousingIowa Conference
Annual event held September 4-6 in Coralville
PCHTF Executive Director Eric Burmeister and Research Intern Josh Hellyer, as well as Board members Debbie Fisher, Lance Henning, and Christine Hensley attended the Iowa Finance Authority's annual HousingIowa Conference beginning on September 4.  

Bev Evans Has the Floor
How a passion for justice became a passion for affordable housing
My dad told me when I was a young girl that a person has no right to complain if they are not involved.  Perhaps I've not fulfilled the obligations inherent in that statement, but I've never forgotten the message.  Dad died 38 years ago, and I try to keep his commitment to civic involvement alive.

Powerful Information
Get on Board!
In addition to our upcoming October tour, we are happy to announce dates for three more bus tours in 2014! They will be held April 18, July 18, and October 17. To register, click HERE.

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Contact Us 108 3rd Street Ste. 350 Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: (515) 282-3233 Fax: (515) 282-8444

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