OUR MISSION

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

ABOUT US

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity (GDM Habitat) brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. GDM Habitat is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every person should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. We are about building with people in need regardless of race or religion. We welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds.

In 2021 Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity partnered with the Des Moines community to build hope with 25 partner homebuyer families who now have a brighter future that they can make their own. Together we completed 184 home repairs, preservation, and weatherization projects with existing homeowners and in community areas through GDM Habitat’s Rock the Block® program. Since our inception in 1986, we have served more than 2,000 total families.

THE NEED

Many residents of Greater Des Moines struggle daily with the lack of decent and affordable housing. More than 10,000 low-income families in our community are stuck in cost-burden rental situations they cannot afford. In neighborhoods with Habitat’s focus, more than one out of four homes are in need of repair to preserve the home or keep it at a basic level of safety. In Polk County, thousands of working families do not earn enough to qualify for a traditional mortgage. The average monthly payment for very low-income families would consume half of their monthly income. Rent is no better, the average monthly payment is a cost burden for 75% of this population.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, GDM Habitat builds and rehabilitates houses alongside our homebuyer families. GDM Habitat does not give away homes. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and other Habitat houses.

  • Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans.

  • The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses.

  • Habitat homeowner property taxes contribute to the local economy.

  • GDM Habitat ReStore sells new and gently used home improvement materials to the public at discount prices.

  • All proceeds benefit GDM Habitat’s mission of building homes, communities, and hope.

CAREERS

Thanks for your interest in starting a career with us. Take a look at our current openings.

LEADERSHIP

Learn more about GDM Habitat’s staff Leadership Team and Board of Directors.

NEWS & MEDIA

Interested in what’s new at GDM Habitat? Contact Director of Marketing, Jenna Ekstrom, for more information.

FINANCIALS

GDM Habitat closely tracks how every dollar you donate is spent.

Sign up for our newsletter today!

1987

Created our first affordable homeownership opportunity.

2003

Habitat ReStore opens as a collaborative effort between GDM Habitat and Dowling Catholic High School’s Entrepreneurial Studies students.

2004

Recognized on a national level with the Clarence Jordan Award for the innovative partnership that created the Habitat ReStore.

2005

Completed our 50th home in Greater Des Moines.

2008

Completed our 100th home in Greater Des Moines.

2009

Completed our first Rock the Block® home repair

2011

Kicked off the ‘It Starts at Home’ Capital Campaign which included a move to an expanded facility for the organization (including the Habitat ReStore).

2014

Completed our 250th home in Greater Des Moines.

2015

Received recognition as an ‘Affiliate of Distinction’ with Habitat for Humanity Inernational, an honor given to only 14 affiliates out of more than 1,400 in the U.S.

2020

Completed our 400th home in Greater Des Moines.

NON-PROSELYTIZING POLICY

Habitat for Humanity International (“Habitat”) and its affiliated organizations will not proselytize. Nor will Habitat work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with Habitat. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

GDM Habitat for Humanity

95 University Ave., Suite 1
Des Moines, Iowa 50314

515-471-8686

Office Hours
Mon. – Fri. 8:00am – 4:00pm

East Euclid ReStore

2200 E. Euclid Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50317

515-650-6827
For donations, call 515-309-0224

Store Hours
Mon. – Sat. 9:00am – 6:00pm

Urbandale ReStore

4033 NW Urbandale Dr.
Urbandale, Iowa 50322

515-650-6828
For donations, call 515-309-0224

Store Hours
Mon. – Sat. 9:00am – 6:00pm