Heartland Hope and Homes will host a masquerade ball at the Cardiff Event Center at Fort Frenzy on New Year’s Eve with all proceeds being donated to the mission of building, repairing, and creating affordable housing throughout the community.

“We really want to bring affordable housing to Fort Dodge and we’ve been looking at different ways to do that,” said Jessica Webb, a member of the board at Heartland Hope and Homes. “We’re really excited to be working with the city, getting outside sourcing to come in, and to fix up dilapidated houses here in town, but we need funds. We thought this event would be a fun and entertaining way for the community to be involved in helping one another and making our community housing more affordable.”

According to Webb, a silent auction and raffle are also planned at the New Year’s Eve masquerade ball.

“We’re excited about this event,” said Webb. “It’s a fun way for people to get involved and learn about what we’re doing in the community.”

-Submitted photo
Two people talk in the Heartland Hope and Homes store at 118 N. 12th St. The store offers all kinds of building supplies and many of the items, such as doors, sinks and windows, have been salvaged from homes. Purchases from the store support the nonprofit’s mission.

According to Webb, tickets are available at EventBrite.com and are currently $10 and will be $15 at the door on New Year’s Eve.

“This is a community event,” said Webb. “It’s people helping people. All proceeds from tonight will go right back into the community.”

Heartland Hope and Homes builds, repairs, and creates affordable housing opportunities throughout the Fort Dodge community. It was recently named a Home Ownership Ambassador with the Iowa Finance Authority, which will allow the organization to provide financial assistance programs to the community.

“This will also allow us to work with other agencies across Iowa to make these ideas a reality,” said Webb.

Heartland Hope and Homes’ focus isn’t just new builds in Fort Dodge, it’s also helping those in need in their current homes.

“There are so many different programs to help people that own their home to fix it up,” said Webb. “It’s really a spectrum. Maybe it’s new siding or a new furnace, there are programs available to help people that qualify in the low to moderate income to get assistance. It’s really cool to be able to give people answers when they have problems. We’re looking at fixing up housing and bringing in new housing.”

Heartland Hope and Homes also maintains the HomeStore, 118 N. 12th St., which sells new and gently used goods to support its mission.

“We are very thankful for our HomeStore volunteers, and we are also open for volunteers to help out with repairs and rebuilds,” said Webb. “We are working on bringing in new homes through the Homes of Iowa program. We are working with the city on fixing up homes and turning them into safe and affordable housing. We are also helping to assist community homeowners with repairs they may need, that they may not be able to afford on their own.”

The Heartland Hope and Homes New Years’ Eve masquerade ball begins at 7:30 pm at the Cardiff Center at Fort Frenzy, 3232 First Ave. S.