Des Moines Church Renovation Adds 18 New Housing Units
The $11 million project will provide apartments and classrooms for young adults in the local community.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Home Renovation
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A renovation project currently underway in Des Moines is transforming an existing church building into a community facility for young adults. The site at 525 E. Ninth St. will provide 18 studio apartments and dedicated classrooms.
Why it matters
The project serves as a local initiative to support homeless and at-risk young adults by combining residential housing with educational opportunities. Des Moines Public Schools teachers will staff the classrooms to provide instruction for the building residents.
The $11 million development at 525 E. Ninth St. is 80% complete. Once finished, the facility will feature 18 studio apartments alongside educational spaces.
The players
Starts Right Here
An organization dedicated to providing educational and housing resources for at-risk youth.
Will Keeps
The leader of the organization overseeing the renovation project.
Des Moines Public Schools
The local educational institution providing teachers for the facility classrooms.
The details
The facility is repurposing a former church building into a mixed-use space for housing and vocational or academic support. Construction has reached the 80% milestone as the organization works to finalize the building design and site layout. The integration of classrooms allows for direct partnerships with educators to support the young adults living on-site.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: An interview with Will Keeps airs on WHO 13.
The Home Front
This project follows the national trend of converting underutilized religious properties into mixed-use housing. It marks a shift in how community-based organizations repurpose existing urban structures to address local residential shortages.
Those interested in local community development can monitor the organization's progress toward its final funding goals. Neighborhood residents may observe the final stages of exterior and interior construction as the site nears completion.
The takeaway
The renovation demonstrates how repurposing older buildings can create essential community housing and learning environments. Prospective supporters should track the project's progress to see when it reaches its final funding goal.
Further reading
For more on local building projects, visit the Home Renovation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Who13.
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