Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1986, helps low-income central Iowans buy their first home with an affordable mortgage that stays within 30 percent of their income. It has been named a Habitat International Affiliate of Distinction and runs a ReStore. Here is how to qualify, what is involved, and how to help.
The affiliate helps low-income central Iowans buy their first home with a Habitat affordable mortgage that is never more than 30 percent of their income. Families apply for partnership based on three criteria: need for housing, ability to pay, and willingness to partner. The affiliate describes the mortgage as affordable without publishing a specific interest rate.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Need | A demonstrated need for decent, affordable housing. |
| Ability to pay | Able to repay an affordable mortgage, capped at 30 percent of income. |
| Willingness to partner | Committed to the partnership, including partnership (sweat equity) hours. |
| Sweat equity | Hundreds of partnership hours invested in building Habitat homes. |
The affiliate serves the Greater Des Moines area in central Iowa.
Families apply for partnership through the affiliate's homeownership program, which evaluates need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner. Selection follows those standard Habitat criteria.
Partner families then invest their partnership hours building Habitat homes on the path to closing.
The Greater Des Moines Habitat ReStore sells new and used home-improvement materials to the public at discounted prices, with all proceeds benefiting the affiliate's mission to build more homes in the Des Moines area. It accepts donated goods from the community.
Donating money, shopping or donating at the ReStore, and joining a build are the main ways to help.
Volunteers help build homes and support the ReStore, and you can sign up through the affiliate's site. The organization has been named an Affiliate of Distinction by Habitat for Humanity International, an honor given to only a small number of affiliates.
Greater Des Moines Habitat holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 100 percent score. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 42-1275330.
First homes with an affordable mortgage capped at 30% of income.
A store selling donated home-improvement materials, funding the mission.
Future homeowners build alongside volunteers.
Build-site and ReStore volunteering.
Recognized by Habitat International among top affiliates.
Donated goods accepted at the ReStore.
Sources: Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity (gdmhabitat.org) homeownership, about, and ReStore pages; Charity Navigator (EIN 42-1275330). The mortgage interest rate is not published. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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