April 27, 2026

AMOS is at the center of a major milestone for housing in Des Moines: the first two permanently affordable homes have now been built in Des Moines' South Side.

Over five years ago, AMOS launched a campaign to develop a broad constituency to advance the idea of a community land trust. Since then, leaders organized civic academies and conferences, met with the City of Des Moines, Polk County, West Des Moines and other municipalities, and recruited local residents to serve on a community land trust advisory committee. That work helped lead to the creation of the Central Iowa Community Land Trust (CICLT), now established as a nonprofit.

In partnership with Invest DSM and HOME Inc., these first homes are now on the market. Under the land trust model, CICLT retains ownership of the land while families purchase the home—allowing them to build equity while keeping the home affordable for future buyers.

The initiative continues to grow, with a goal of building five homes per year and reaching 100 permanently affordable homes within five years.

According to the City of Des Moines, “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.”

First Homes Added to the Central Iowa Community Land Trust in Columbus Park and Oak Park / Highland Park Neighborhoods, City of Des Moines [pdf] 

Central Iowa Community Land Trust First Homes, City of Des Moines [video]