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Housing Services
Leasing

The Leasing Division of the Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency (DMMHA) handles the application process for Public Housing and Section 8 housing assistance programs.

Eligibility for the Public Housing and Section 8 programs is determined by reviewing family composition, arrest history, past participation in federally subsidized programs, rental history, and income guidelines determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Participants in the Public Housing program are required to pay 30% of their household's monthly adjusted gross income toward their rent, or they may choose to pay a flat rent. Participants in the Section 8 programs are required to pay 30-40% of their household's monthly adjusted gross income toward their rent.

For Public Housing, when an eligible applicant's name comes to the top of the waiting list, the applicant is offered a rental unit. Upon acceptance of a unit, a participant must enter into a lease agreement with the DMMHA and pay approximately 30% of their monthly adjusted gross income for rent. The DMMHA owns and manages approximately 425 Public Housing units located within the city limits of Des Moines. Currently, the DMMHA is in the process of disposing of (selling) our scattered-site, single family units through a process called “Disposition”. What will remain when this is completed (approximately 5 years) will be 390 units located in our five manors: Royal View Manor (singles, elderly, disabled), East View Manor (elderly only), Southview Manor (elderly only), Highland Park Plaza (elderly only), and Oak Park Plaza (elderly only).

For Section 8, when an eligible applicant's name comes to the top of the waiting list, the applicant is issued a Housing Choice Voucher and has 60 days to find a rental unit. Each unit must pass a housing quality inspection to ensure that the unit is a safe and decent place to live. Section 8 programs provide rental assistance to participants who want to rent from a private landlord. Participants may choose the type of housing they wish to rent. Approximately 3,000 households are served through Section 8 programs. The DMMHA administers Section 8 programs throughout Polk County.

DES MOINES SERVICE AREA - FY 2009 MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME = $71,700

To be determined eligible to participate in either the Section 8 or Public Housing program, your total household income may not exceed the following limits:

Number of Persons in Family
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Section 8 Income Limits	$25,100	$28,700	$32,250	$35,850	$38,700	$41,600	$44,450	$47,300
Public Housing Income Limits	$40,150	$40,150	$51,600	$57,350	$61,950	$66,550	$71,100	$75,700

*Income limits are updated by HUD on an annual basis.

For more information, contact the Housing Services Department at (515) 323-8950.