After five years and three failed attempts, Greater Des Moines Supportive Housing has secured two metro sites that will provide nearly 200 units of permanent supportive housing.
The organization closed Aug. 7 on the purchase of buildings in Urbandale and West Des Moines. The Urbandale campus, called the Solstice Campus, is located at 3940 114th St. and will have 104 studio units. The West Des Moines location, Starling Campus, at 2701 Westown Parkway, will have 89 studio apartments. Both locations are former extended stay hotels.
In addition to fully furnished studio apartments, the campuses will feature on-site supportive services like case management and life skills training, community and recreational spaces and a variety of other amenities, including a food pantry, fitness center and green space.
The buildings will include green design elements and accommodate residents aging in place, those who live with brain injuries and people previously experiencing homelessness, according to the nonprofit’s website. There will also be no limits on the length of stay in the units.
The $29 million project for the two locations is expected to begin renovation work this fall and be ready to welcome its first residents by late 2027.
Emily Osweiler, the organization’s CEO, said it still hasn’t fully set in yet that the project that has been years in the making has finally come to fruition. Previous proposals in 2023, 2024 and 2025 failed to secure sites.
Despite the many setbacks, Osweiler said there has always been momentum for the project to finally make it across this finish line. She added she is excited for the “real work” to finally begin.
“There were some high highs and some low lows, but I never felt like we were all the way back to the beginning,” Osweiler said. “It wasn’t like we were back to starting from scratch.”
Through this iteration of the project, there were some concerns from nearby businesses and community members about safety and security brought up during various city meetings, Osweiler said.
She said she has and will continue to have “difficult conversations” with neighbors to address real concerns and prove to be a positive addition to the area. The campuses will feature 24/7 staffing and security and require background checks for residents, according to the nonprofit’s website.
“We’ll get this done, and we will be good neighbors,” Osweiler said. “And I see a future where those business neighbors and both communities are volunteering at our campus.”
Isabelle Foland is a communities reporter for the Register. Reach her at ifoland@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Supportive housing project secures 2 metro sites after setbacks
Reporting by Isabelle Foland, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Isabelle Foland, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
