The First CICLT Homes Have Arrived!

The Central Iowa Community Land Trust (CICLT) has reached an important milestone in expanding long-term affordable homeownership opportunities in Des Moines and Central Iowa -- the unveiling of the first homes!

Three homes have entered into the land trust. Located within two Special Investment Districts, these homes represent a strategic partnership between the City of Des Moines, Invest DSM and Home Inc. to ensure housing remains affordable as neighborhood property values increase.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7tBF6qDw9M

The Community Land Trust model separates ownership of the land from the home itself.

Under this model, the land trust retains ownership of the land while homeowners purchase

the house. This approach allows homeowners to build equity over time while ensuring the

home remains affordable for future buyers.

“We’re building an opportunity for not only the first families coming in here, but future

families to have an affordable home that they can purchase and call their own,” said

Jaqueline Chico, Program Manager at the CICLT.

Invest DSM and HOME, Inc. have an existing partnership with a shared goal of constructing

five homes annually. These initial homes not only contribute to that goal, but they’ll serve

as the first official three homes hitting the market as CICLT properties.

Home under construction by HOME, Inc. in partnership with Invest DSM

While one of the homes has been purchased, two remain on the market as of now. For

those interested in purchasing a home through the CICLT, the first step is applying for the

Shared Equity Program. This involves completing homebuyer education, pre-purchase

counseling, a shared equity information session, and lastly, applying for the Ready Buyer

Pool.

CICLT and Invest DSM leadership emphasized that the establishment of the community

land trust would not have been possible without strong support from A Mid-Iowa Organizing

Strategy (AMOS), City staff, elected officials, Polk County, West Des Moines, HOME, Inc., and several community partners and surrounding suburbs.

The CICLT seeks to expand partnerships across additional communities in the region, with

a goal of adding more permanently affordable homes across Central Iowa.

“Our goal for the Central Iowa Community Land Trust is to get one hundred homes by year

five, and this is just the beginning,” said Chico.

Anyone can join the effort by becoming a member. Members play a leadership role in

creating a community and housing market where everyone has a safe, affordable place to

live.