Anawim Housing has entered the world of property management, forming Allterra Property Solutions.

The new company, which answers to Anawim President Russ Frazier, already has signed on to manage two high-profile projects for Blackbird Investments: 142 apartments at Fort Des Moines and the 60 units at the Wilkins Building, formerly Younkers, downtown.

Alltterra, operating as Drake Real Estate, also is managing 114 residential and commercial properties for Drake University. 

Allterra will manage market rate and affordable apartments for third-party owners in Greater Des Moines, said Frazier. The management company will operate as a separate brand but will funnel proceeds into Anawim’s widely known affordable housing projects.

“Creating this new brand will allow Anawim Housing to focus on its core mission of providing affordable housing to families and individuals as well as permanent supportive housing solutions to highly vulnerable populations,” Frazier said.

The company will consider serving as a partner in developments or a management arm. 

Blackbird partner Justin Doyle said he is looking for more projects for Allterra to manage.

“Blackbird is extremely pleased to be able to partner with Allterra for both the Fort Des Moines and Wilkins projects, and look forward to future partnerships,” Doyle said. “The team behind Allterra is not only well-versed in navigating affordable housing requirements, but also has demonstrated their attention to each individual tenant ­— treating them as if they were family, maintaining a long-term relationship, and tirelessly working to answer questions and solve problems as quickly as possible. 

“Allterra reflects Blackbird’s core values of community development, respect and appreciation of residents, and an exceptional housing experience for residents,” he added.

The three projects together push Allterra’s units under management to 325. Frazier said he’s in talks about another 200 units outside Des Moines.

The company gets a percentage of rent collections. 

“We’ve been very pleased at how this new effort has been received, and we are looking forward to adding many others,” said Frazier.

Allterra will also serve as a partner in property development and will offer consulting services in site selection, underwriting, equity and debt negotiation, construction oversight, leases, and compliance.

Already, two new employees are on board, and four more will be added later. Anawim’s total employment will be 40 at that point.

Frazier said the move will allow Anawim to help more people. The extent of the growth is to be determined.

The name comes from “all” and “terra,” meaning land, suggesting that the company will look to support housing wherever it is needed.

Anawim Housing, founded by community activists in 1987, now has a portfolio that includes 739 units in townhomes, single-family homes, duplexes and multifamily developments.