Founded in 1967 through the efforts of citizens concerned about the lack of decent, affordable housing, Home Opportunities Made Easy, Inc. (HOME, Inc.) is the oldest private non-profit housing organization in Des Moines. HOME Inc. creates opportunities for quality, affordable housing. To accomplish its mission the Corporation develops housing that is affordable to low-income people and provides programs and services to help people improve their housing situations and become self-sufficient. HOME, Inc's voluntary Board of Directors sets policy and oversees all programs. The staff is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Corporation. In addition HOME, Inc. is a certified HUD Housing Counseling Agency.

In keeping with its mission, HOME, Inc. purchased 12 former rental units of public housing from the Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency. This occurred with the concurrence of and through the HUD Disposition Center. Des Moines and Kansas City Public and Indian Housing (PIH) staff were involved in the transaction. Home, Inc. then totally rehabilitated all units and developed Bel Aire Commons, with the goal to improve the homeownership options available to Des Moines' low-income families. "This is the first time we've been able to offer home ownership following a rehab project," said Pam Carmichael, executive director of Home Inc., which has focused on the rehabilitation of rental units for low-income families. "What's especially exciting about condos is that families get the maintenance benefits of renting with the decision-making power of ownership."

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This is the first affordable condominium project in Des Moines. With guidance from HOME, Inc. the owners will be responsible for developing their association. Bel Aire Commons offers completely remodeled 2 and 3 bedroom condos - ranging in price from $75,000 to $85,000. Each condo has an attached garage and is equipped with a new stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave. Each unit also has central air conditioning. Special touches such as large, fenced back yards, modern lighting fixtures, plush carpet and brightly colored front doors give the condos a contemporary feel.

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To qualify for a Bel Aire Commons condo purchase, the new owners must be first-time homebuyers at or below 70% of the area's median income, which ranges from $33,000 to $47,000, depending on household size. "This program is filling a very important niche in the Des Moines affordable housing market" according to Bruce Ray, HUD's Field Office Director in Des Moines, Iowa.