A Des Moines nonprofit housing organization is expanding its educational programs in an effort to help more families become homeowners.

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Inc. has purchased property at 95 University Ave. in Des Moines that will become the home of the group’s homeownership center, Lance Henning, Habitat’s CEO, wrote in an email. The center will offer homebuyer education classes, financial counseling and assistance with applying for home loans.

The nonprofit group paid MME Enterprises LC $3 million for the 2.5-acre parcel, Polk County real estate records show. The transaction was recorded July 18.

Henning, in the email, wrote that Habitat has been gradually expanding its homebuyer services and education programs. In 2021, it became a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved financial counseling organization.

During the first part of 2022, made changes to its programs so that they would reach more potential homeowners.

The changes allow “more hard-working low-wage earning Central Iowans to have a stable home and participate in the American dream of homeownership,” Henning wrote.

In 2021, Habitat served 285 families including 25 that became homeowners, according to its 2021 annual report. The organization’s goal is to serve 404 families in 2022 and 530 in 2023.

The property purchased by Habitat includes a one-story, 39,672-square-foot building constructed in 1982. Medical offices had been located in the building. The property is valued at $1.75 million.

Habitat will move into the facility after renovations are completed, likely in early 2023, Henning wrote.

The organization’s offices are currently located at 2200 E. Euclid Ave. The group’s ReStore program, which sells new and gently used home and building materials, is also located at the East Euclid location. Habitat Restore will expand its programs into the educational spaces and offices vacated by Habitat for Humanity.