DMPS Partnership Provides Healthy Homes for Kids

A public launch event was held at Martin Luther King Jr. Park Community Center on June 17th.

Des Moines Public Schools is proud to partner with Des Moines non-profits, hospitals and the city to help improve housing conditions for families on the eastside.

The effort, “Healthy Homes East Bank” will have an impact on student absenteeism and mobility in the area.  The project will put $500,000, mostly grant and private funds, to work improving the homes of people identified when they make hospital visits to treat illnesses brought on by poor air quality at home.

Please see the news release below to learn more about why this project will help so many families in East Des Moines.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Organizers of a collaborative project aimed at improving the respiratory health of kids in three urban core neighborhoods are introduced the project at a public event Wednesday, June 17.

The initiative, called Healthy Homes East Bank, will target deteriorating housing in the Capitol Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, and Capitol East neighborhoods, where moisture, mold and pests have led to elevated rates of asthma.

Of particular concern are the disproportionately high rates of pediatric asthma-related emergency room visits.

The new collaborative effort led by Des Moines nonprofits, hospitals, and government agencies was recently selected to receive a $250,000 grant to improve community health from the BUILD Health Challenge, a national awards program and includes matching funds of $250,000 provided by area hospitals.

Healthy Homes East Bank is a collaboration among Polk County Housing Trust Fund, Polk County Health Department, Mercy Medical Center, Broadlawns Medical Center, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, the City of Des Moines, Viva East Bank, the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa, Polk County Public Works, and Des Moines Public Schools.

View photos of the Healthy Homes East Bank launch