There’s construction all over Greater Des Moines on homes, condos, townhomes and apartments. And real estate sales are pretty brisk, too.
But how much of it is affordable for the workers who live here or who want to come and work at one of the area’s employers? 
Several months ago, the Business Record surveyed business leaders on a wide range of topics, including whether affordable housing is a concern in Des Moines’ downtown as well as in the suburbs. 
Here was the question: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being not concerned and 10 being very concerned, how concerned are you with the state of affordable housing in …
Downtown Des Moines  1 – 10
Suburbs  1 – 10
The average response for Des Moines was 7.5 and the average response for the suburbs was 5.
Here are some of the ratings and comments included from leaders: 

Joseph Benesh, president and CEO, Ingenuity Co.
10 Des Moines’ downtown
3 suburbs
“Downtown price points are too bifurcated. There should be more housing priced ‘in the middle’ for young families who wish to purchase (not rent) a home downtown.”

Mona Bond, president, Capitol Communications
7 Des Moines’ downtown 
7 suburbs
“It is important that there is good mix of starter homes and apartments. The housing needs are significantly different for various age groups and where people are in their lives and careers. This is an issue that should be addressed by all cities and communities in Iowa.”

Chantelle Cadek, account executive, Integer Group
9 Des Moines’ downtown 
5 suburbs
“Many locations in downtown that have historically offered affordable or low-income housing are being replaced by market-rate or luxury apartments. This is pushing lower-income individuals and families out of downtown that may need easy, walkable access to lower-paying jobs at downtown businesses.”

Greg Cole, president, NCMIC Finance Corp.
5 Des Moines’ downtown 
5 suburbs
“(There) seems to be a plethora of housing being built; market saturation may be a bigger threat.”

Michael Colwell, executive director, Greater Des Moines Partnership
3 Des Moines’ downtown 
3 suburbs

Michelle DeClerck, president, Conference Event Management
2 suburbs
“With our events, I travel the world, and I am always so proud to share how affordable it is to live in Central Iowa and how the visionaries who have transformed our community have helped make this a phenomenal place to do business and live.”

Mark Imerman, president, Regional Strategic Ltd.
5 Des Moines’ downtown
5 suburbs
“Affordable housing is relative to wages and salaries paid. Low incomes mean that housing is not affordable. Low incomes also mean that it is difficult to attract the kind of workers we want. When we decide to get serious about attracting quality help across the board (a payroll issue), housing will magically become affordable.”

Keeley Kinney, vice president, Saxton
9 suburbs 

Kris Gregersen, owner, Premium Solutions
10 Des Moines’ downtown
“Adding downtown housing is great, but we need to keep diversity (economic, social, etc.).”

Christine Hensley, Des Moines councilwoman
10 Des Moines’ downtown
“We are losing the battle.”

Kristin Huinker, community development director, Youth Emergency Services & Shelter (YESS)
8 Des Moines’ downtown 
8 suburbs
“Gentrification is forcing longtime residents out of historic neighborhoods in the name of beautification. Invest in and empower the homeowners, not just the home.”

Mike Kinter, owner, the Market Building
5 Des Moines’ downtown
5 suburbs
“(We) need affordable housing close to jobs in downtown.”

Susan Judkins, client development director, RDG Planning and Design
10 Des Moines’ downtown
10 suburbs
“We know there are significant gaps. So long as local government depends on property tax as a revenue source, there 
is little incentive to address this.”

Drew Kemp, director of business retention and expansion and government relations, Ames Chamber of Commerce
5 Des Moines’ downtown
8 suburbs
“This is a major issue for employers and an impediment to attracting and retaining talent.”

Mike McCoy, CEO, NCMIC Group
8 Des Moines’ downtown
5 suburbs
“Housing in the Greater Des Moines area is more expensive than in some cities like Kansas City and St Louis. Affordable housing is the bedrock of financial stability.”

Jaime Miller, executive director, Iowa Credit Union Foundation
10 Des Moines’ downtown
10 suburbs
“The cost to live in Des Moines increases as we celebrate accolades, and yet incomes (especially for those who are near/at the minimum wage) are not making an increase to offset housing prices.”

David Ringgenberg, president, Iowa State Bank
8 Des Moines’ downtown
7 suburbs
“Both areas of our city have a great need for affordable housing.”

J.L. Warren, research scientist, DuPont Pioneer
4 Des Moines’ downtown
3 suburbs
“No affordable housing (in areas where jobs exist) is a primary obstacle and represents a means to keep the poor contained to certain areas where the affluent are then ‘unaware’ how disadvantaged people suffer.”

Dylan Mullenix, assistant director, Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
10 Des Moines’ downtown
10 suburbs
“Many people, including local elected officials, view rental housing as affordable housing, which isn’t always the case. Communities with a high number of rental properties don’t see the need for more affordable housing, and those who do not are hesitant to consider it because they don’t want ‘those people’ in their town. Everyone needs to be aware that our communities need to accommodate everyone, and not providing affordable housing not only hurts low-income individuals but also will put increased pressure on services like public transit.”

Shar Pardubsky, executive director, Iowa Chamber of Commerce Executives
7 Des Moines’ downtown
7 suburbs
“Need to keep a balance.”