Save the date for Affordable Housing Week 2016!
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It's that time again! We're already hard at work planning our fourth annual Affordable Housing Week and we can't wait for you to see what we have in store this year. Your favorite events from years past will be returning better than ever, with new speakers and the latest information. Watch for more details in our next eNewsletter when we'll have all the final details to share. For now, save the date for April 11-16, and check out a list of events below.
- April 13, 8-10:30 AM: 3rd Annual Educational Event for Iowa Landlords
- Learn about programs that help property managers provide the best possible service to all of their tenants. A new session on conflict resolution will offer new skills to help landlords defuse tense situations. Space is limited, so RSVP today by clicking here.
- April 14, 8-11:30 AM: Housing Matters Symposium 2016
- Hear from Carol Payne (HUD Baltimore) and Amy Slonim (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) about the critical links between housing, health, and transportation. Plus, learn from a panel of local leaders and be inspired to work on your own cross-sector collaboration. RSVP today and learn more by clicking here.
- April 15, 9-11:30 AM: Healthy Homes East Bank Bus Tour
- This year's tour will focus on Healthy Homes East Bank, a collaboration designed to mitigate symptoms of pediatric asthma through housing improvements. Take a look at what HHEB has accomplished in its first year.
- April 16, 10-11:30 AM: Can I Be Your Neighbor Design Challenge
- This program in its fourth year offers high school students the opportunity to design affordable homes for a chance at a scholarship. Come check out the students' designs and see who wins.
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Meet Our New Board Leadership PCHTF announces new members, new officers |
The Board of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund is excited to announce the results of its annual election, held on February 5. The Board elected new officers as well as five new members who bring new skills and experience to the table. We also thank two retiring members for their service to the organization. Click below to meet our new members and see who will be leading our Board in 2016!
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Spotlight on West Bank Giving back makes this company "West Bank Strong" |
West Bank takes center stage this month as PCHTF's featured donor spotlight. A business that opened its first branch in 1893, West Bank purports not to be the biggest bank. Instead they pride themselves on earning their customers' trust and not hesitating to leave a mark for community betterment. The "West Bank Strong" culture means giving back with time, treasures, and talents.
For PCHTF, this has taken the form of grants and volunteer leadership. A total of $95,000 during the past ten years has directly funded supportive services and programs that impact the lives of low income people and help lead them to self-sufficiency.
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Michelle Winters Has the Floor Strategic plan facilitator talks region's housing future |
I've spent the last two decades visiting communities and organizations across the country, working with them to design and evaluate affordable housing and development strategies, programs and policies for more sustainable, affordable and inclusive communities. In the past year I've come to know the Greater Des Moines area quite well by working with an organization who is hitting its stride with an updated strategic plan at just the right time to help all of Polk County prepare for what's to come.
The organization is the Polk County Housing Trust Fund and 2015 was a big year for them, and in turn for the communities they serve. Here's a look behind the scenes.
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Congratulations to the 2016 Forty Under 40 honorees!
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PCHTF Board member Izaah Knox and Marketing Committee member Sara Bonney were both selected for the Des Moines Business Record's Forty Under 40 class of 2016! Join us in congratulating Izaah and Sara for this honor, and thanking them for giving their time to further PCHTF's mission. To read more about Forty Under 40 and see a full list of honorees, click HERE. |
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Help our friends at DART plan for the future of transit
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The region's master plan for public transit, DART Forward 2035, is ready for its first update, and everyone from the Greater Des Moines area is invited to help. Adopted in 2011, the long-range plan is being updated at this five-year mark to ensure the plan meets the needs of the community's growing and changing population.
Community members are invited to give input in several ways at the DART Forward website. Once there, take a quick survey, check out upcoming meeting dates, or request a presentation to your organization. Because affordable transportation is crucial to affordable housing, we hope you'll share your opinion!
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Read past issues of this eNewsletter
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To read past issues of our monthly eNewsletter, click here.
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