DES MOINES, Iowa — Everyone deserves a place to call home, and that is the key to success for residents at one campus.
Veteran Thomas Beil moved into the YMCA Supportive Housing campus on SW 9th Street in downtown Des Moines three months ago. He says, “I was having issues with my life, my speed of life I call it, into alcohol and drugs. I was living outside.”
He’s now getting his life back on track. He went back to school and will soon start work. He says, “I found out I have a job in my field of maintenance, building maintenance.”
Beil says having a permanent home gave him the confidence he needed to go back into the work force. He says, “I’m just getting my confidence back to be a better asset to the world, to Des Moines, to society.”
YMCA Supportive Housing Executive Director Emily Osweiler says, “We want to help get people who don’t have access to safe, affordable, permanent housing, help people get into permanent housing, and then surround them with supportive services to help maintain housing.”
140 people call the campus home. More than half have a job. The rest are looking, retired or on disability. Osweiler says, “We actually have 76 people on our wait list right now, which speaks to the need of this kind of affordable and supportive housing in central Iowa.”
The YMCA Supportive Housing moved from the Riverfront YMCA to the new building three years ago, providing a more modern campus with a library, T.V. room, dining area, workout space and private efficiency apartments. Osweiler says, “This is just an amazing facility. There’s so much light, and it’s just really, the feelings of hope and dignity and support.”
Rent ranges from nothing to $508, depending on the person’s income, programming and YMCA rental assistance. Rent, grant money and private donations pay for the housing program, but it doesn’t cover everything. Osweiler says, “Our gap is about $140,000 a year to provide the case management and the YMCA rental assistance, and the food pantry, and the care packet, all the supportive services.”
The group will raise money for the program with its first homecoming flag football game. Eight teams are signed up. The game is Saturday, October 25 at Des Moines Water Works Park. Kick-off is 10 a.m. You can enjoy tailgate games and activities, including a bounce house for kids. Admission is free, but you can purchase chili donated from nine local restaurants. All proceeds will go to the YMCA Supportive Housing campus.
