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What Home does

HOME Opportunities Made Easy, Inc. (HOME, Inc.) is a Des Moines, Iowa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1967 that delivers free housing services to low- and moderate-income residents across Iowa. The organization is the oldest housing nonprofit in Des Moines and operates under two federal designations — a HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency and a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) — which together authorize it to provide counseling services, build affordable housing, and draw on federal housing funding streams. It serves a multi-segment client base spanning renters, private landlords and property managers, prospective first-time homebuyers, existing homeowners, and families at imminent risk of homelessness in Polk County.

The organization's offerings are organized around four pillars: education, housing counseling, neighborhood revitalization, and affordable housing development. Core products include one-on-one HUD-certified pre-purchase, rental, and post-purchase counseling; free monthly in-person homebuyer education classes and an $100 eHome America online certification course; Rentwise tenant-rights classes and landlord workshops; the Hope for Stable Families rental-assistance and case-management program for families below 30% of area median income; the Metro Home Improvement Program, a forgivable grant covering major system repairs across multiple Des Moines suburbs; and an in-house property development program that acts as general contractor and developer of new affordable single-family homes. The technology footprint is administrative only — service delivery is people-led via in-person and online counseling — and there is no proprietary software platform, app, or AI/ML component. A 2025 build pipeline of 12 homes is the organization's largest annual production on record, enabled by a multi-year Principal Foundation grant and the addition of a dedicated Property Development Coordinator.

HOME, Inc. operates a grant- and donation-funded nonprofit revenue model. All client-facing services are free; there are no fees for counseling, classes, or workshops. Operating revenue is sourced from foundation grants (Principal Foundation $150,000 over two years; Wells Fargo $15,000 volunteerism grant), corporate sponsorships and vision-level event funding (Central Bank as 2025 Hunt for Housing Visionary Sponsor; Bankers Trust $35,000 commitment for homebuyer education through 2027), federal and state housing program funding accessed via CHDO status, individual donations, and in-kind contributions. The go-to-market motion is community-led: clients reach HOME, Inc. through partner referrals (United Way 211, Iowa Legal Aid, Primary Health Care, City of Des Moines), word-of-mouth, community events (Build My Future, Hunt for Housing, Annual Day of Service), and a small owned-media presence on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and a website. Service delivery is concentrated at a single headquarters in Des Moines, with counseling available statewide throughout Iowa but new construction geographically limited to the City of Des Moines.

Name

Home

Legal name

Home Opportunities Made Easy, Inc.

Website

https://homeincdsm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Home Opportunities Made Easy, Inc. (HOME, Inc.) is a 1967-founded Des Moines 501(c)(3) housing nonprofit providing free HUD-certified housing counseling, homebuyer education, rental assistance, and affordable home construction to low-to-moderate income renters, landlords, and first-time homebuyers across Iowa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229), Residential Building Construction (2361)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI)

Keywords

• Housing counseling services
• Affordable housing development
• Homebuyer education programs
• Rental assistance services
• Nonprofit housing organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants & Corporate Philanthropy: HOME, Inc. receives grants from foundations such as Principal Foundation ($150,000 over 2 years for Property Development), Wells Fargo ($15,000 volunteerism grant), and corporate sponsorships from Central Bank (Visionary Sponsor). These fund specific programs and operations.
2. Individual & Corporate Donations: The organization raises funds through individual donations (annual fund, planned giving, tributes, memorials), in-kind donations, and sponsorship opportunities. The General Fund directs 100% of donations to programs and services. Donations are tax-deductible (Tax ID: 42-0931497).
3. Government Grants & Contracts: HOME, Inc. acts as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency, receiving federal and state funding. Their property development uses federal funds requiring extensive compliance paperwork. The Hope for Stable Families program uses federal funds to assist qualifying families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HOME, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers housing counseling, homebuyer education, rental assistance, and affordable housing development services to low- and moderate-income residents of Des Moines, Iowa. Operating as a HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency and a designated Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), it provides all client services free of charge.

Product overview

HOME, Inc. is a nonprofit HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency and Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) offering a comprehensive suite of housing-related services centered around four pillars: education, housing counseling, neighborhood revitalization, and affordable housing development. The core offerings include Property Development (building affordable homes as general contractor and developer), Housing Counseling Services (pre-purchase, rental, and post-purchase counseling), and Homebuyer Education (in-person and online classes). Supporting programs include the Hope for Stable Families rental assistance program, Metro Home Improvement Program for forgivable grants, and volunteer opportunities. The organization serves the Des Moines, Iowa area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing Counseling

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 homes built in 2025 — a record construction year
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bankers TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Bankers Trust partners with HOME, Inc. to host free homebuyer education classes for minority and low-to-moderate income homebuyers. The partnership is part of Bankers Trust's broader initiative investing $100,000+ into similar workshops across markets through 2027, with $35,000 designated for HOME, Inc. Classes cover financial considerations of homeownership, mortgage process, and owning a home.
• Central BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Central Bank is the 2025 Hunt for Housing Visionary Sponsor of HOME, Inc. They provide financial sponsorship, down payment assistance programs (up to $4,500 for eligible homebuyers), and mortgage lending expertise through five lenders with 20+ years of experience. The partnership includes homebuyer education support and affordable home development funding. Central Bank's Des Moines Market President Brett Smith serves as Retail Bank Officer.
• Hildreth Construction ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Hildreth Construction Services partnered with HOME, Inc. to complete six shed builds for low-income families. When HOME, Inc.'s original construction plans fell through, Hildreth stepped in with tools, trucks, and labor to construct front panels, platforms, and trusses, then delivered and assembled the sheds for families. The partnership originated through the Build My Future skilled trades expo. Key contacts: President Mark Hildreth and Assistant Project Manager Dominic Hagar.
• Principal Foundation (Give Back Bash)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025HOME, Inc. participated in Principal Foundation's Give Back Bash for Giving Tuesday, one of five nonprofits selected. Together they designed a volunteer project creating Welcome Home Kits (toys and activities) for children of families purchasing HOME, Inc. homes. Principal Foundation purchased all materials; their employees volunteered to decorate and assemble the kits.
• United Way of Central IowacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1967United Way of Central Iowa is listed as a key community partner and supporter of HOME, Inc. The partnership provides referrals, community support, and collaborative resources for housing programs in the Des Moines area.
• Iowa Finance AuthoritycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIowa Finance Authority is listed as a community partner supporting HOME, Inc.'s mission to expand affordable housing in Des Moines through access to state housing finance programs.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHUD provides official approval and certification of HOME, Inc. as a HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency and Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), enabling access to federal housing programs and funding.
• K and V HomesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerK and V Homes partnered with HOME, Inc. at the Build My Future event to help students construct wall panels for use in garage construction for HOME, Inc.'s affordable homes.
• Beisser Lumber CompanyminorOthersBeisser Lumber Company donated all wood materials for the Build My Future student construction project where students built 18 panels forming 9 walls for 3 garages.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Polk County Housing Trust Fund: Local government-administered trust fund that finances affordable housing development in Polk County — directly comparable as a partner and potential funder for HOME, Inc.'s affordable housing development activities in the same service area.
• Mid-Iowa Housing Coalition (Homeward): Central Iowa housing coalition that works on housing policy and homelessness prevention across the region — comparable to HOME, Inc. as a central Iowa focused organization addressing housing stability, though operating more at a systems/advocacy level than direct service.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: National parent organization for U.S. Habitat affiliates including Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa — broadly comparable as a larger incumbent operating in the affordable homeownership space that HOME, Inc. competes with locally.
• NeighborWorks America: National network supporting HUD-certified housing counseling agencies and CHDOs through training, funding, and standards — broadly comparable as the umbrella for many peer organizations to HOME, Inc. and a potential affiliation partner.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National nonprofit CDFI providing financing and capacity-building for community development organizations including affordable housing developers — broadly comparable as a larger incumbent funder and peer in the affordable housing development space.

Others

• Iowa Finance Authority: State housing finance agency that administers federal housing programs and provides down payment assistance in Iowa — directly comparable as a HOME, Inc. referral partner and a major funder in the same affordable housing ecosystem.

Direct peers

• IMPACT Community Action Partnership: Iowa-wide Community Action Agency offering housing counseling, rental assistance, weatherization, and homelessness prevention — directly comparable to HOME, Inc.'s housing counseling and stability programs at a larger geographic scale.
• Anawim Housing: Des Moines-based nonprofit providing housing services including transitional and affordable housing with supportive services — comparable to HOME, Inc. as another central Iowa community-based housing nonprofit with a similar mission.
• Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa: Affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International, this Des Moines-based nonprofit builds affordable homes for low-income families using volunteer labor and donated materials — directly comparable to HOME, Inc.'s property development and homebuyer education model in the same geographic market.
• Hawthorn Hill: Des Moines nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability — closely comparable to HOME, Inc.'s HOPE for Stable Families eviction-prevention mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@homeincdsm
• Facebookfacebook.com/homeincdsm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/home-opportunities-made-easy-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/homeincdsm
• Xx.com/homeincdsm

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Home