About us
Building permanent housing and lasting community.
A home of your own, with no time limit, and the on-site support that makes it all possible.
The need
Regional housing challenges are mounting.
Polk County does not have enough places for people at the very bottom of the housing market to land. The gap is measured, documented, and growing.
- The shortage of affordable housing for extremely low-income individuals is growing as properties are renovated for higher-end uses.
- Many jobs offer wages that are lower than the cost of living.
- There are not enough providers and resources to support people with physical and mental health issues, especially as they age.
500
supportive housing units needed in our community
identified by the Polk County Gap Analysis
12,000
apartments needed for people identified as extremely low income
as identified by the Polk County Housing Trust Fund
The Blueprint to Reduce Homelessness in Polk County, a community-wide plan, identifies our model as central to reducing homelessness across the region: preventing people from losing housing, expanding specialized services, and adding new units of supportive housing.
Starling and Solstice are that third piece, built at a scale the region has not tried before.
What we're building
Nearly 200 homes at two supportive housing campuses.
Greater Des Moines Supportive Housing is building 193 units at two housing campuses with no length of stay time limit. The program provides wraparound supportive services for individuals who are extremely low income, homeless, or facing unforeseen housing barriers.
Trauma-informed and green design elements are incorporated throughout both campuses. The building design supports aging-in-place and the unique needs of individuals living with a brain injury. Each fully furnished studio apartment features a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, and each campus includes community spaces, recreational areas, classrooms, treatment rooms, a food pantry, a commercial kitchen, dining space, laundry, and green space.
Addressing unmet needs
Housing and homelessness, together
Both homelessness and the shortage of affordable and supportive housing are addressed in one campus setting, bringing long-term stability to those who need it most.
Aging in place, by design
Housing-vulnerable individuals can safely age in place, with building design that also supports the unique needs of those living with traumatic brain injuries.
The Mayo Clinic Model of Care
A multi-disciplinary team of professionals provides supportive, integrated care where residents live.
Social enterprise, built in
Programs that support residents' employment opportunities and generate long-term organizational sustainability.
We are not just creating housing — we are creating a healing environment. We are creating a home. Greater Des Moines Supportive Housing will provide connection, care, and belonging by offering programs and services designed to promote housing stability.
See what we're building.
Explore the campuses and follow along as nearly 200 neighbors come home. You can also meet the team and our board.