The number of unsheltered people in Polk County reached a record high this summer, continuing an upward trend local leaders say underscores the metro's affordable housing crisis, according to a new report from local nonprofit Homeward.

The big picture: Outreach staff counted 210 unsheltered people in Polk County from July 30-31. That's an 18% increase from last summer's count of 177 people and a slight increase from 206 this past winter, Jan. 29-30.

• Overall, 768 people were experiencing homelessness in Polk County, including those staying in shelters. The previous summer, the total was 729.
• The overall number is slightly lower than this winter's count of 779.

What they're saying: "The concern is that we're not seeing a decrease," Angie Arthur, executive director of Homeward, tells Axios.

Zoom out: Polk County's uptick follows a national trend that's been driven recently by increases in rent prices and the end of COVID programs that helped with housing insecurity.

Zoom in: Between 2003-2023, Iowa lost more than a quarter of its rental units priced under $600 compared to a decade ago, even after adjusting for inflation.

• And more than $100 million in federal emergency rent support to Polk County ended last March.

How it works: The point-in-time counts have been conducted since 2016, excluding 2020.

• Outreach staff talk with unsheltered residents living in cars, camps or on the street and offer them housing services, gift cards and snacks.

Yes, but: There was a positive shift in youth homelessness, with a decline among 18– to 24-year-olds, thanks to targeted federal funding and programming.

• Veteran experiencing homelessness also decreased, which Arthur credits to coordinated efforts and increased federal, state, and local resources.
• Broader funding increases could help Polk County's overall population, she says.

What we're watching: In May, a comprehensive five-year plan to end homelessness in Polk County was released.

• Doug Romig was hired this month to help oversee the plan.

They also take greater pride in theirs, displaying it on magnets, hats and other tchotchkes.

Welcome to our Ask Axios series, where we answer any of your questions about the Des Moines metro.

Q: "With Kum & Go's sale to Maverik now finalized, what's going to happen to all of the Kum & Go signs? Four hundred stores and each one has multiple exterior signs. There must be thousands of them, right? And no place or purpose for any of them?"

• "I want to buy a lighted ampersand and hang it in my garage. I would settle for a full Kum & Go logo sign or a K or a G." — Andy Heiting-Doane

A: "The ampersand signs will remain in place at rebranded locations as long as they are structurally sound and safe," Michelle Monson, spokesperson for Maverik, wrote in an email to Axios.

• "Our priority is ensuring signage remains safe and functional and at this time there are no plans to make signage or individual elements available for purchase."

State of play: We asked for more clarity on which ampersand signs will be saved and what will happen to the external Kum & Go signs, and haven't heard back.

💭 Our thought bubble: Forget "Freedom to Flourish," and put those Kum & Go signs on our state borders.

Fall begins at 1:19pm today.

Why it matters: Our peak fall foliage is less than a month away — meaning now is the time to map out your leaf-peeping adventures.

📬 Reply and share your favorite places to spot fall colors (bonus points for photos!).

• We'll showcase a few in an upcoming newsletter.

🏒 Merle Hay Mall's owner is proposing constructing a new multipurpose arena, instead of using the former Younkers space. (Des Moines Register)

🎉 West Des Moines received a $5 million Destination Iowa Grant to build a new event center attached to the MidAmerican RecPlex. (WOI-TV)

ICE is seeking office space in Des Moines to potentially accommodate 70 workers. (KWWL)

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Help us continue our mission to keep you informed by becoming an Axios Des Moines member today.

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Jason here. I was in Philadelphia earlier this month and saw that they also have a LOVE sculpture.

Catch up quick: The LOVE series began in the 1960s from a Christmas card artist Robert Indiana did for the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

• The design became a stamp, which ultimately resulted in dozens of public sculptures across the world.

State of play: Philly's got a noticeably smaller LOVE but they know how to use what they've got.

• It's on a pedestal, making for the perfect selfie opportunity.
• They also take greater pride in theirs, displaying it on magnets, hats and other tchotchkes.

❤️ My thought bubble: We need to brag more about our big LOVE.