Providers and advocates joined together on December 15, 2025 to review and ultimately, approve, the updated Polk County Continuum of Care (CoC) Governance Charter. Over the past two years, the Charter has been strengthened to better reflect the work that has been occurring and expectations set forth with the Blueprint to Address Homelessness. The Charter outlines the roles and relationships across the Continuum and how the systems work together to support our neighbors most i

Wondering what our year looks like? Find out the FY25 highlights by viewing the Homeward annual report! The document can be found on our website under Our Mission or can be found here: https://9f117bfc-c31b-4287-b93f-858b070cbfcd.filesusr.com/ugd/253e08_2ee9534762324d8f80f64aebb490ffb7.pdf

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formally withdrew the Federal NOFO for Continuum of Care Projects one hour prior to the legal case issuing a Temporary Restraining Order was to be heard. Per HUD's website, "This withdrawal will allow the Department to make appropriate revisions to the NOFO, and the Department intends to do so." The notice goes on to state HUD intends to make changes to the NOFO instead of processing renewals for a "variety of reasons" including to accommod

On Monday, December 15, from 2-3 pm at Polk County River Place, Room 1A, the members of the members of the Polk County Continuum of Care (CoC) will vote on a new governance charter. This charter, updated due to changes within the local landscape, as well as the link to register as a member and the membership guidelines, can be found here . Homeward recommends individuals register as members in advance of the meeting.

On December 1, 2025, a broad coalition of local governments and non-profit organizations, led by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump-Vance Administration’s new restrictions on federal homelessness funding. Press release below. https://democracyforward.org/updates/local-governments-and-nonprofit-groups-challenge-unlawful-new-trump-vance-administration-restrictions-that-threaten-proven-solutions-to-homelessness/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOcPVxl

Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the federal entity that provides federal funding for homeless services, requires all Continuum of Care (CoC) entities to have an annual membership meeting to vote on any significant changes to the CoC Charter.    For the past year, Homeward has been working with the HCC/Housing Solutions Alliance and the City of Des Moines to re-assess and re-work the existing Governance charter. For it to be accepted, it must be presented and approved by

Save the date! The Iowa Homeless Coalition's Day on the Hill will occur on February 17 from 10-1:30 pm at the Iowa State Capitol. More details to follow.

The Polk County/Des Moines Continuum of Care’s 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and local project application cycle will open on Monday, November 24, 2025, with an Open Meeting to discuss HUD’s FY 25 Continuum of Care Competition NOFO, the local project application and local application process.    If your agency is planning on renewing a current project or applying for a new project, you must have at least one person from your agency attend this meeting .  The meeting is o

CONTACT:   Angie Arthur, Homeward aarthur@homewardiowa.org 515-302-6017 homewardiowa.org   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  HOMEWARD ANNOUNCES...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                 ...

Polk County Emergency Management, in consultation with Polk County Community, Family and Youth Services and Polk County Behavioral Health...

CONTACT:   Angie Arthur, Homeward aarthur@homewardiowa.org 515-302-6017 homewardiowa.org   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  HOMEWARD ANNOUNCES...

Mark your calendars and join us! Summer Point-In-Time Count is accepting volunteers. The Count will happen Wednesday, July 30 to...

Our bi-monthly newsletter provides relevant information to those who want to remain up-to-date about what is happening in the...

Today, the community unveils "The Blueprint to Address Homelessness". In this video, key leaders discuss why this work is important and...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                               May...

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You are Invited!   After a six-month planning process, Homeward, the Community Foundation, and the Strategic Leadership Team, are pleased...

Did you miss our newsletter? Check out all of the moving pieces in the homeless service system by visiting the newsletter here:...

The Executive Director of Homeward, together with prominent community figures such as Mary Sellers from United Way of Central Iowa, Matt...