Urban Dreams, Hubbell Break Ground on New Affordable Housing in Des Moines Northside infill project expands access to quality housing in DSM neighborhood

DES MOINES, Iowa – Urban Dreams, alongside Hubbell Construction Services, has announced a new affordable housing addition to Des Moines with the construction of a six-unit multifamily building at 1411 7th Street.

The homes will be built in the River Bend community in Des Moines, in an area where Urban Dreams has held land specifically for this purpose since 1999. This development will add six residential units along with new site utilities, 10 parking, sidewalks, and related site improvements to further the vision of the neighborhood. The project focuses on Urban Dreams’ work to strengthen communities and remove barriers for Iowans while creating new opportunities for individuals and families to access quality, affordable housing. The homes will be designated for working people and families earning at or below fifty percent of the area’s median income.

“For more than 40 years, Urban Dreams has worked to remove barriers and create opportunities. Today we extend that legacy into housing, strengthening River Bend without displacing the people who call it home. A family cannot build lasting stability without a safe and affordable place to live,” said Izaah Knox, President & CEO of Urban Dreams. Knox, who followed Urban Dreams founder Wayne Ford, focuses on creating new and furthering current programming, community collaborations, philanthropy and leadership for the various programs at Urban Dreams.

More than 40,000 people connect with Urban Dreams each year through its food pantry, youth programs, mental health services, workforce development, substance abuse treatment, and community events.

Hubbell Construction Services will bring its construction expertise to the project, extending on 170-year-old Hubbell Realty Company’s longstanding commitment to expanding attainable housing opportunities and support of community and health-focused organizations.

“Every Iowan deserves access to a safe, quality place to call home, and the best communities happen when organizations bring their individual strengths together around that goal,” said Casey Port, Vice President of Hubbell Construction Services. “Izaah and the Urban Dreams team understand that mission and the people they serve. Our role is to bring our construction expertise to that vision and help create homes that can make a meaningful difference for residents and this neighborhood for decades to come.”

The partnership builds on Hubbell’s history of directing its real estate and construction expertise toward housing and community needs via various low-income and workforce housing developments in addition to six past Hubbell Extreme Builds.

“For us, construction has always been about more than the building,” Port added. “We have an opportunity to use what we do every day to strengthen Iowa communities.”

Urban Dreams and Hubbell will celebrate the project with a Groundbreaking Celebration at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at 1411 7th Street in Des Moines.

About Urban Dreams
Urban Dreams is a Des Moines-based organization focused on serving and strengthening the community through programming, partnerships and advocacy. Under President & CEO Izaah Knox, the organization continues to expand programming, collaborations, training, and fundraising efforts to respond to community needs.

About Hubbell Realty Company
Hubbell Realty Company, which celebrated 170 years in 2026, is a full-service real estate company headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, with capabilities spanning development, construction, homebuilding and property management. Hubbell’s community commitment includes charitable partnerships, volunteerism, and the Hubbell Extreme Build program, which has completed six major community projects since 2006.