The Home Connection provides transitional housing and supportive services to homeless families with emphasis on attaining financial independence and home ownership.
Our case management staff works with families to identify the causes of their homelessness and develop a plan, with goals, to remedy causes and attain financial independence within approximately two years.
The Home Connection is the only program for homeless families with children with single family homes and duplexes located in Des Moines neighborhoods. We own 21 housing units that allow us to serve 28-30 families each year.
In order to be eligible for this program, at least one adult must be working or enrolled in an educational or job training program. Parents must also be involved in their children's education and development, and volunteer in the community.
The family pays 30 percent of their income to The Home Connection. Ten percent is set aside in an escrow account established for the family. Funds that accrue are then used to pay past debts, if applicable.
When the family completes the program, the balance is returned to the family to use as a down payment on a home, rent and/ or rent deposit. The remaining funds are used for utilies, maintenance, and other program costs.
