Des Moines' latest blight fight move: Expanding a home repair program
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Des Moines is expanding its list of contractors involved in the Improving Our Neighborhoods program, marking a significant step in a new citywide housing plan.
Why it matters: The program, which offers up to $40,000 to homeowners for home improvements, is likely to see much higher use in the upcoming months.
Catch up quick: DSM has some of the oldest housing in the country, with nearly 28% of homes built in 1939 or earlier, compared to 12% nationwide, according to Census estimates.
- City leaders have worked to improve neighborhoods for decades but , but widespread needs have made it like a game of Whac-a-Mole.
Zoom in: The City Council adopted the citywide strategy last year to preserve and improve as much housing as possible by expanding programs that encourage repairs.
- Whole-block redevelopment is a long-term plan that could be carried out in some areas, though city leaders stress they will avoid extensive demolitions or displacing residents.
State of play: DSM launched the home improvement program in 2022 to assist low- and moderate-income homeowners with exterior repairs on aging homes.
- It's one of the most effective programs to improve housing, a consultant working on the citywide plan told the council last year.
The latest: The program's annual budget is set to increase from $1.3 million to just over $2.5 million for the fiscal year starting in July, as part of a budget proposal.
- The city plans to nearly double the number of contractors working with the program this year to about 90 and manage around 200 projects, which is roughly twice as many as it awarded in its first three years, Dan Grauerholz, the city's property improvement administrator, tells Axios.
What's next: The City Council will hold a public hearing on the upcoming budget on Monday, starting at 7:30am.
- The city administration building, 1200 Locust St. in DSM