Starts Right Here Renovates Des Moines Church for Youth
A former church is being converted into housing and classrooms to support at-risk young adults in Des Moines.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Home Renovation
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The STAY project at 525 E. Ninth St. is transforming a church building into a facility featuring 18 studio apartments and classrooms. This initiative aims to provide essential housing and educational support for homeless and at-risk young adults.
Why it matters
By creating a dedicated space for living and learning, the project seeks to stabilize the lives of vulnerable youth through combined housing and academic instruction. Des Moines Public Schools teachers are set to provide onsite education for residents.
The project is currently 80% complete at the 525 E. Ninth St. site in Des Moines. Development costs for the 18-unit residential and educational facility have surpassed $11 million.
The players
Starts Right Here
This is an organization dedicated to providing support and resources for at-risk youth in the community.
Will Keeps
He is a prominent figure associated with the Starts Right Here organization.
Des Moines Public Schools
The local school district that is providing educators to teach classes within the new facility.
The details
The facility is repurposing a former church building to offer both residential stability and academic growth. Des Moines Public Schools teachers will staff the classrooms to ensure residents receive instruction.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: An interview with Will Keeps is scheduled to air on WHO 13.
Culture Shift
This project follows the nationwide shift toward adaptive reuse of religious buildings for social services by converting a former church into a dedicated residential and educational space for at-risk youth. It reflects a growing community emphasis on integrating housing with social support.
Residents in Des Moines may see increased support services for young adults once the facility reaches full operation. The project represents a significant repurposing of local real estate to address specific social needs within the neighborhood.
The takeaway
Adaptive reuse projects like this demonstrate how vacant community buildings can be repurposed to address modern social challenges. Residents can support such initiatives by engaging with local community organizations that manage these conversions.
Further reading
Learn more about local property developments in our Home Renovation section.
Live Poll
Do you support the development of community-led housing and education facilities in your area?
