Rebuilding homes and hope in Minden, Iowa
“This project has taken months of preparation, research and planning. The commitment of many agencies to come together and work towards rebuilding has been a truly inspiring project for our organization to support.” — Blake Johnson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs.
On April 26, 2024, a powerful tornado, part of a larger Midwest storm outbreak, devastated Minden, Iowa. The EF-3 twister, with winds of up to 160 miles per hour, destroyed homes and businesses, displaced families, and left deep scars in a community of roughly 600 residents. One fatality and multiple injuries were reported.
Before the storm, Minden residents faced challenges common in rural areas: aging housing, limited local services and high rates of underinsurance. Conversations with local organizations highlighted how these vulnerabilities made recovery after the storm even more difficult.
Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs wanted to help Minden rebuild, but they didn’t have the staff capacity or time to devote to the work. In September 2024, Habitat Council Bluff received funding from CDP’s Midwest Early Recovery Fund to support housing redevelopment and recovery coordination. The grant allowed the organization to dedicate staff capacity to recovery, including hiring a construction director to lead planning, contractor coordination and collaboration with local officials.
The added personnel enabled Habitat Council Bluffs to actively participate in the Minden Rebuilding Coalition, working with the City of Minden, the Metro Area Planning Agency (MAPA), and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to secure land, clear destroyed properties and prepare new affordable homes.
“These funds allowed Habitat Council Bluffs to make a commitment to Minden that rebuilding would happen. Without this support, this work would not have been possible,” — Kim Smith, Programs & Fund Development Director.
Thanks to these efforts, in late 2025, Habitat Council Bluffs broke ground on the construction of the first new affordable homes, which will provide stability and opportunity to families who lost everything. This project illustrates the importance of flexible early recovery funding, particularly in rural communities with limited local capacity.
CDP is proud to support Minden’s long-term recovery. By investing in local leadership and community-led rebuilding, this work reflects CDP’s mission to strengthen resilience, support underserved communities and help families move from crisis to stability.
Story by Juanicia Crump