Home Opportunities Made Easy, Inc. (Home, Inc.) in Des Moines, IA

HOME, Inc. (Home Opportunities Made Easy, Inc.) is Des Moines' oldest housing nonprofit, founded in 1967, dedicated to empowering residents by removing barriers to obtaining and maintaining safe, stable, affordable housing. The organization operates as a comprehensive housing resource center rather than a lending institution, positioning education as the cornerstone of its mission. HOME, Inc. employs HUD-certified housing counselors who serve clients across all stages of the housing journey—from prospective renters and first-time homebuyers to existing homeowners and landlords—with services available statewide throughout Iowa. Beyond counseling, the organization engages in neighborhood revitalization and develops affordable housing through direct property development initiatives.

The organization offers multiple free educational programs including monthly homebuyer education classes, RentWise classes covering Iowa landlord-tenant law for renters, post-purchase success programs for homeowners, and upcoming workshops for private landlords and property managers. Their Metro Home Improvement Program provides forgivable grants to qualified homeowners for main system repairs across multiple cities in the Des Moines metropolitan area. All HUD-certified housing counselors are available for one-on-one counseling and education services. The website emphasizes a philosophy of meeting clients where they are in their housing journey and equipping them with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions.

HOME, Inc. distinguishes itself through its deep community roots (57+ years of operation), HUD certification ensuring counseling meets federal standards, comprehensive Iowa-specific education (particularly on state landlord-tenant law), and integration of counseling with actual affordable housing development and home improvement grants. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with no financial services or lending component, eliminating conflicts of interest common in for-profit housing services. Their forgivable grant program specifically targets homeowners needing major system repairs, a service rarely offered by for-profit entities.

For consumers seeking housing education and counseling, HOME, Inc. represents a legitimate, established nonprofit resource with appropriate credentials and demonstrated community commitment. The primary limitation is geographic focus on Iowa, and potential wait times given the organization's reliance on nonprofit funding and volunteer/grant-based operations. The free nature of services and nonprofit status indicate genuine mission-driven operation rather than profit-seeking, though availability may be constrained during high-demand periods.