Mass Timber Affordable Housing Complex Completed in Des Moines, Iowa

A new affordable housing complex built with mass timber officially opened last week in Des Moines, Iowa, after nearly two years of work on the building, We Are Iowa reported (11-13-24).

The project is called Star Lofts. All 20 modern and move-in ready apartment units, managed by Anawim Housing, will provide affordable housing options to special populations.

Eco-friendly developers Scott and Molly Cutler of Cutler Development built the complex using mass timber, a sustainable product made by layering smaller pieces of wood and low-carbon concrete. Developers say the building is a first of its kind in the state of Iowa.

“We were actually able to reduce the carbon footprint of the building by 70% using mass timber… plus, it has a pretty cool aesthetic,” Scott Cutler said. The building also uses solar panels and other energy saving appliances and devices.

Those who are elderly, disabled, formerly incarcerated, or formerly homeless are eligible to apply for the building. The income limit in order to apply is 80% of the area median income.

A video is included in the original source.