First Homes Added to the Central Iowa Community Land Trust in Columbus Park and Oak Park / Highland Park Neighborhoods

Des Moines, Iowa - Monday, April 20, 2026 - The City of Des Moines is celebrating the unveiling of the first homes in the Central Iowa Community Land Trust (CICLT), marking a major step forward in expanding long-term affordable homeownership opportunities in Des Moines and Central Iowa.

Located within two Special Investment Districts, the first 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.

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.

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. More information on homeownership is available at CICLT.org.

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 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. Visit CICLT.org/membership to apply.

Contact
Emily Wankum
Communications Specialist II, City Manager's Office
(515) 283-4028
[email protected]

About the City of Des Moines
The City of Des Moines is Iowa's capital, and our 17 departments serve more than 214,000 residents and 46 neighborhood associations. Des Moines is a leader in sustainability and provides its residents with vibrant neighborhoods, an active downtown, and abundant leisure opportunities.

Des Moines continuously improves neighborhoods, public safety, and quality of life by offering exceptional city services and reliable infrastructure while fostering an involved and compassionate community for all who visit and live there. Visit DSM.city, Facebook, and X for more information.