The amount of housing in the City of Perry is opening up following the closure of the Tyson Foods Pork Plant in June.

Director of Communications at Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Danny Akright tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the Homes for Iowa program is a unit that Habitat for Humanity uses to help build houses in a given year. He zeroes in on Dallas County, emphasizing that it’s been an active year for Habitat for Humanity.

“This year, we have five homes in Perry that are under construction, and then two more in DeSoto. One of those homes in Perry is a renovation where we’re actually preserving an existing home, and then in addition to that, four brand new homes, each of which will be purchased by a family that qualifies based on their income level and need for affordable housing with Habitat (for Humanity).”

Akright details that a majority of the homes are set to close sometime in 2025, but reiterates that despite challenges in the Perry community, it’s been a successful year for the organization to start the affordable housing opportunities in Dallas County.