Des Moines is officially creating an "affordable forever" home network after almost a year of discussions.

Why it matters: The plan could alleviate a problematic cycle where subsidized homes lose affordability after ownership changes hands.

Details: The city government is facilitating the creation of a Community Land Trust (CLT), an idea sometimes referenced as "affordable forever homes."

How it works: Houses in the network would be sold to low-income families at a discount but the land they sit on would be owned by the trust.

• Homeowners could only resell their properties at a restricted price to other low-income buyers — typically receiving their initial investment back plus a percentage of the property's increased equity.

Driving the news: The city manager's office notified City Council members this week that applications for CLT Advisory Committee members are now being accepted.

• The committee will help develop the program, which could launch by late next year.

Zoom in: CLTs already exist in hundreds of U.S. communities, according to Grounded Solutions Network.

• A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy (AMOS) has advocated locally for CLTs and will have at least one member on the advisory committee.

Of note: The trust will use public and philanthropic donations to buy properties across the city.

• Budgets for property acquisitions in the program haven't yet been established, city manager Scott Sanders tells Axios.

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At least a quarter of the metro's oldest and youngest homeowners spend 30% or more of their income on housing, according to the latest U.S. Census data.

• Those figures are even greater for renters.

Why it matters: The 30% threshold is commonly used to determine housing cost burdens.

State of play: The share of metro families who spend too much on housing has grown in recent years, according to a June report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) of Harvard University.

• Housing shortages have contributed to higher costs of both buying and renting, Axios' Emily Peck reports.

Related story: Search DSM home prices by ZIP

One year after advancing to the first Final Four in program history, the Iowa women's basketball team enters this season ranked No. 3 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll.

Driving the news: The Hawkeyes are behind No.1 LSU, who they lost to in the championship last year, and UConn, maybe the most successful college basketball program ever.

• The high ranking is yet another sign of confidence in Iowa's own Caitlin Clark, the generational superstar who is filling Kinnick Stadium and signing record endorsement deals.

Zoom in: The path back to the national championship game will not be easy. Iowa is one of five Big Ten teams in the Top 25 and also plays No. 8 Virginia Tech, Kansas State and Iowa State in non-conference play.

• LSU is stacked after returning Angel Reese while adding star transfers Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow.
• And Iowa is relying on unproven front court players to step up after both the team's starting forwards from last season graduated.

Yes, but: If there's anyone in college basketball who can make up a talent gap, it's Clark.

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🍗 The new Jethro's BBQ near Wells Fargo Arena has opened. The theme is "All Stars." (KCCI)

U.S. Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks said she received death threats after withdrawing support for Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker. (Axios)

⚾️ Michael Shur's "Field of Dreams" show was going to cast Andre Braugher, Kristen Bell, Nick Offerman and William Harper before it was eventually cancelled.

• The show was supposed to be filmed around Iowa and stream on Peacock. (X)

🗳 Johnston school officials inadvertently scheduled parent-teacher conferences on election day — a move that may make it hard for teachers to vote, parents say.

• District officials said they will make accommodations for staff voting time. (WOI-TV)

⭐️ Today's headline maker: Emily Kessinger of DSM.

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