Nonprofit remodeling home in River Bend neighborhood

Josh Hafner, jhafner@dmreg.com 11:09 p.m. CST November 11, 2014

David Houston, director of a young nonprofit called Homes 4 My Peeps, promotes sustainable housing in neighborhoods as a way of reducing crime, conserving resources and attracting new development. The nonprofit acquired a home at 1609 Eighth St. in Des Moines that Houston plans to make into a model home for the organization. It will feature solar energy and energy- efficient heating. (Photo: Rodney White/The Register )Buy Photo

It wasn't Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater house that drew David Houston to architecture, or even the sight of 801 Grand towering above Des Moines. Rather, he recalls finding inspiration growing up in his family's home, a tiny house cramped with four siblings in north-central Des Moines. At the age of 10, Houston didn't dream about growing up designing some grandiose tower. He just wanted to draw up a better home for his family.

He grew up, left Des Moines and earned a degree in architecture. When Houston returned 15 years later, he visited his old neighborhood of River Bend and didn't like what he saw: The boarded-up houses still had boards, he said. The vacant houses were still vacant.

Houston's response: Homes 4 My Peeps, a developing nonprofit he formed in 2012. The organization hopes to transform blighted areas of Des Moines through sustainable home solutions from solar panels to simple recycling that he believes can reduce waste, improve property values and better communities.

The Register spoke with Houston about his nonprofit, which has acquired a house in River Bend he intends to outfit as a green model home for the community. A Fun Run to raise money to the project takes place on Saturday.

Q. In a nutshell, what's Homes 4 My Peeps all about?

It's to provide green housing solutions to blighted communities, promoting sustainability, efficiency and healthy living.

This first home would be used as an incubator and model home. We'd like to promote sustainability through do-it-yourself programs ranging from composting, gardening, hydroponic systems, bee keeping, even permaculture and rainwater harvesting.

Q. Some might wonder whether a busy family in a working class neighborhood would have the time or energy themselves to take up composting or permaculture. What convinces you otherwise?

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Nonprofit remodeling home in River Bend neighborhood