Des Moines' proposed citywide housing strategy faces criticism from several influential affordable-housing advocates.

Why it matters: Housing affordability is an increasing concern throughout Iowa.

• Des Moines' strategy could influence regional development and decide whether low-income families can find homes in the state's largest city or will be pushed out.

Catch up quick: Last year, the City Council hired Maine-based urban planning firm CZB to develop DSM's first citywide housing strategy.

• The study addresses long-term goals of enhancing neighborhoods and maximizing the millions of dollars the city allocates annually for revitalization.

Driving the news: Housing developer Jack Hatch, a former state senator, criticized the plan in a June 2 letter to the council, saying it misrepresents how affordable housing works and could "redline" the city by halting low-income housing projects.

• He warns that the report misrepresents the city as being overwhelmed with low-income housing and ignores the economic advantages that such projects provide.

Zoom in: The recommendations involve redeveloping about 300 blocks of the city through a combination of voluntary acquisitions and demolitions, reducing the areas from being 100% low- and very-low-income to roughly 30-35%.

• A pause on most low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) projects — one of the country's most common tools for creating affordable housing — could also lead to a more even distribution of housing options across the metro by shifting more low-income projects to suburbs, according to a CZB presentation last month.

The intrigue: City Councilperson Josh Mandelbaum also expressed concern in a June 4 op-ed published by Bleeding Heartland, a left-leaning community blog, saying affordable-housing options would worsen if the report were fully adopted.

• Councilperson and real estate agent Linda Westergaard accused the report of using "scare tactics" during a February meeting when she questioned the proposal to level a wide swath of the city's older housing.

What's next: Public feedback about the proposal is being reviewed, and council members are expected to discuss it during a July 14 work session.

Read Hatch's letter

Des Moines homebuyers are purchasing a greater share of newer homes than buyers in most major U.S. cities, thanks to new construction and a residual impact from the pandemic.

Why it matters: America's housing stock is aging, but building in some metros is better meeting demand, which can affect housing affordability.

The big picture: The median age of a U.S. home purchased last year was 36 years — the oldest since at least 2012, according to Redfin records.

• In the DSM metro, the median home purchased last year was 24 years old.

Stunning stat: DSM has among the oldest housing stock in the nation, with nearly 28% of homes built in 1939 or earlier, compared with 12% nationally, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

Reality check: Older homes are generally more affordable, but owners can struggle with increased upkeep, a situation that has led the city of DSM to consider widespread redevelopment as part of a larger draft housing strategy.

By the numbers: Almost 27% of DSM-area homes bought last year were built in the previous five years, while about 45% were more than 30 years old.

• The median cost of a DSM-metro home over 30 was nearly $222,000, while a house built in the last five years had a median cost of $365,000, per Redfin's data.

What they're saying: New construction sales were significantly higher during the pandemic because fewer older homes were on the market, Les Sulgrove, a local Realtor and former president of the DSM Area Association of Realtors, tells Axios.

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Housing developers proposed $197 million in Des Moines projects via tax credit applications this month.

Why it matters: The developments aim to serve a diverse range of residents, including entry-level workers, students, seniors, people with disabilities, and families, supporting both community stability and economic growth.

Catch up quick: The workforce housing tax credit (WHTC) program offers state tax incentives to support the construction or rehabilitation of housing in areas with workforce shortages, with $17.5 million available to Iowa's 11 most populous counties.

By the numbers: In Des Moines, 11 proposed projects will create a total of 668 new or rehabilitated housing units.

Zoom in: The largest development is a $77 million conversion of downtown's Financial Center building, 606 Walnut St., into commercial space and 209 apartments.

• The Aston, 603 E. 6th St., would be a nearly $50 million new construction project with 161 apartments.
• Drake University's vacant Ross Hall, 1214 31st St., would be demolished to make way for a $17 million, 78-apartment project.

What's next: WHTC awards are anticipated to be announced in August.

A crowd in downtown DSM last evening protested the U.S. strike on Iran. (WHO-13).

President Trump will return to the Iowa State Fairgrounds to give a speech on July 3. (KCCI).

Over 100 Iowans gathered at the Capitol over the weekend to celebrate the first anniversary of the state's six-week abortion ban. (Des Moines Register)

Possible federal cuts to abortion clinics could serve as a backdoor nationwide abortion ban, critics contend (Iowa Capital Dispatch).

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Linh here! The good news — I live in a 104-year-old home!

• The bad news — I live in a 104-year-old home!

State of play: I've been slowly trying to make improvements to some of the aging exterior, including painting the sun-faded siding.

• 😵‍💫 For my 1,300-square-foot home, I got quoted $6,800.

Shoutout: If anyone else lives in an older home, hit reply and give me tips on upkeep!