Community Resources
Homeward is here to serve as a hub for information and community collaboration in Polk County. In an effort to help, we have compiled a list of resources below to assist community residents as they navigate this challenging time.
General Resources
www.findhelp.org is a national database that you can insert your zip code and identify a variety of services to address your specific need. Data may be outdated.
Evictions, Rental Assistance, and Family Support
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Iowa Legal Aid Eviction Prevention Help Desk Information
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IMPACT Emergency Rental Assistance Support
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Des Moines Public Schools Community Resources (Updated November 2024)
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Des Moines Public Schools Building Homeless Liaisons (Updated November 2024)
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DCAT Refugee, Food, Work, and Shelter Guide (Updated April 2023)
Youth and Young Adult Support
Youth who are over 18 have access to the same resources that individual adults can access, however, those who are under 25 often have access to additional resources pending their individual situation. Additional resources are listed below:
Iowa Homeless Youth Center Youth Opportunity Center, 612 Locust St., Des Moines, IA
American Bar Association Iowa Homeless Youth Legal Network
Iowa Aftercare Services Network
Your Life Iowa. Text: (855) 895-8398. Call: (855) 581-8111
Primary Health Care Outreach Support Staff
Primary Health Care Outreach staff can be contacted for additional support and services for those who are unsheltered. Phone calls may not be answered immediately, however, leave a message and one of the outreach staff will return your call.
Phone: 515-666-1203
E-mail: streetoutreach@phcinc.net
Health Information
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Flu Information for Polk County
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HUD Homelessness and COVID-19 Resources
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Polk County Health Department Information
Language and Translation Resources
• RACI and Lutheran Services in Iowa, in partnership with 211, Polk County Heath Department, and the Iowa Department of Public Health, have launched a new hotline that will help expand access and capacity to Iowans who are limited in English at 1-877-558-2609.
• Housing Interpretation Hotline for landlords and limited-English-speaking tenants at 515-282-8269, Ext. 5.