Feeding Futures

Fighting food insecurity with innovative action. A story series sponsored by Principal® Foundation

Housing Stability Helps Families Put Food on the Table

HOME, Inc. connects affordable housing with long-term financial stability

For many Iowa families, the budget doesn’t break on the big things—it breaks on the basics. When rent takes too much of a paycheck, groceries become harder to afford and nutritious food becomes a luxury.

That’s where HOME, Inc. steps in.

“Our mission is to empower our neighbors by helping them overcome barriers to obtaining and maintaining safe, stable housing,” says Jayson Shaffer, HOME, Inc.’s marketing and community engagement coordinator. HOME, Inc. supports families through education, housing counseling, neighborhood revitalization and affordable home development.

The need is growing across central Iowa. “Iowa is short about 59,000 accessible and affordable homes,” Shaffer says. “In Polk County alone, around 42% of renters are cost burdened and spending more than 30% of their income on housing.”

When housing costs become unmanageable, the ripple effect is immediate. “If you’re spending more than half your income on housing, there’s less money for food—let alone nutritious food,” Shaffer says.

HOME, Inc. focuses on long-term stability by helping families navigate the homeownership process. “People talk a lot about generational wealth, but generational knowledge is also important,” Shaffer says. Housing counseling includes financial literacy and education to help clients plan for major life steps.

“You can’t play the game if you don’t know the rules,” he adds.

Through Iowa Stops Hunger, HOME, Inc. helps families build stability—so they can focus on food, health and opportunity.

Learn more at homeincdsm.org.