Anawim Housing receives three-year $300,000 grant from Opus Foundation
Des Moines, IA – Anawim Housing has been awarded a $300,000 commitment from the Opus Foundation, to be paid out over the next three years. This grant has been earmarked to support our work to provide safe, affordable, desirable, permanent rental housing, both through the 515+ units that Anawim Housing owns, manages, or maintains in the Property Management pillar and through the additional 239+ units rented from landlords across the city through the Permanent Supportive Housing pillar. Through this programming, Anawim Housing serves those across a continuum of housings needs - from those coming to Anawim from chronic homelessness to those who would otherwise face housing instability without supportive services.
Anawim Housing pairs affordable housing with access to support systems that, when combined, allow our tenants to build a foundation of security. When an individual or family becomes an Anawim Housing resident, they don’t just move into a safe, affordable, and stable home. They also receive access to a comprehensive network of resources made available through our team. Our Property and Program Managers are able to connect our residents with outside programs, such as free meal services or legal aid, access to mental health treatment and counseling, affordable childcare and healthcare options, and educational and job training opportunities. For those experiencing additional hardships, the Housing and Support System Program also includes resources such as the Sister Stella Rent Relief Fund which was designed to provide peace of mind for our residents during times of unexpected crisis by temporarily covering rental costs.
“At Anawim Housing, we understand that having a home means so much more than having a roof over your head. It means having access to the critical components necessary to lead a safe and stable life,” says Megan Milligan, President of Anawim Housing. “We are grateful for support from Opus Foundation to continue our work empowering our neighbors with the resources they need to remain stably housed in Des Moines.”
Opus Foundation works to improve the conditions that disproportionately affect historically underinvested people and communities. “Opus believes in improving community life where our employees live and work,” says Michael Anthony, Director of Project Management at Opus and incoming Vice Board Chair for Anawim Housing. “Partnering with Anawim Housing allows us to have a direct impact on supporting our neighbors most in need.”
About Anawim Housing
Anawim Housing is a non-profit focused on improving long-term housing stability in Des Moines. We believe everyone deserves a place to call home. Across our three pillars of service (Property Management, Property Development, and Permanent Supportive Housing), we serve hundreds of families annually. We do this by: owning, managing, or maintaining 515+ safe, affordable, desirable, permanent rental housing units across Des Moines; recognizing the continuum of housing needs by serving an additional 235+ families and individuals experiencing chronic homelessness; and always seeking new ways to develop and rehabilitate additional affordable housing options to meet the needs of our community.
In 2025, 1,760 people called Anawim Housing Home across our three pillars of service. This includes 880+ children who now have safe, stable homes in which to build the foundation of their lives. 14% of our tenants were considered chronically homeless before coming to Anawim and qualify for support under our Permanent Supportive Housing pillar. We are proud to provide our neighbors with access to safe, affordable, desirable, permanent rental housing. Learn more about Anawim Housing at www.anawimhousing.org.
For Media Inquiries Please Contact:
Madison de León, Advancement Coordinator
515-442-3133