Iowa Homes for Heroes completes inaugural project.
Story by Tracy Dickinson | December 2025
A year ago, Executive Vice Presidents Paul Rupprecht and Tom Rupprecht of R&R Realty Group were challenged to address the growing need for affordable housing for Iowa first responders and veterans. Brothers Paul and Tom, along with their brother, Mark, President of R&R, lead the commercial real estate company that was founded by their father, Dan. It was Dan’s suggestion that spurred a turn of events that culminated in a Veterans Day to remember for one Iowa hero.
“We created a nonprofit organization early this year, Iowa Homes for Heroes, with the goal of building and donating homes for disabled veterans and first responders in Iowa,” says Paul Rupprecht.
After forming a board of directors on which Paul and Tom serve as Co-Presidents, the nonprofit worked closely with Governor Kim Reynolds’ office and the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs to identify a veteran in need and to determine how best to address that need.
“Everybody came together ready to get things done,” Rupprecht says. “Within a few months, we had the lot. And the Veterans Administration (VA) had helped identify a veteran and his family in need of a home after losing everything in a fire. We had all the pieces lined up to get started and just needed a builder.”
Dan Knoup, Executive Director of the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines (DSM HBA), says, “I’m a veteran myself, so when Paul reached out to us about connecting with a builder who might be a good partner for the Homes for Heroes project, I knew immediately it was a cause worth supporting.”
Knoup offered several suggestions, but one name stood out with Rupprecht. “As soon as Dan mentioned Jerry’s Homes and Adam Grubb (owner and CEO), I knew that was the right call. I’d known Adam for years, so I reached out, and they were on board immediately.”
“Jerry’s Homes was founded by a veteran,” says Ryan McClintock, President of Jerry’s Homes, who spearheaded the Iowa Homes for Heroes build. “And this project aligned perfectly with our core focus as a company, which is about making an impact in our communities.”
Once Jerry’s Homes came on board, Rupprecht says Iowa Homes for Heroes stepped back and let the experts do their thing. “We saw our role as bringing all the pieces together. We at R&R Realty Group are not home builders, so we stayed out of the way unless there was a need for us to get involved. Jerry’s Homes just knocked it out of the park building this home.”
McClintock says the team at Jerry’s worked with the VA and the future homeowner to determine the best plan for the lot and for the homeowner’s needs. “Our design team put together some recommendations, but we wanted the homeowner’s input, too,” he says. “We made a few changes as a result of those conversations, like making some accommodations for aging in place.”
Everyone who was asked to participate did so enthusiastically, from suppliers to contractors. And each of them says the highlight of the project was the day the family got to see the house for the first time.
“Seeing their reaction was great,” McClintock says. “Not only did they get a house, but they got a fully furnished home. We even made sure they had ladders, a lawnmower, a snowblower—everything they needed to move right in.”
Knoup says the moment he heard about the project, he wanted the DSM HBA to support it. “We had just established and chartered a nonprofit arm, HBA Cares, and we had been talking about how to give back to the community. So this was a great fit.”
McClintock, too, spread the word. As a member of the HomeShowExpo committee, he suggested Iowa Homes for Heroes as the Uncoastal Social fundraiser recipient.
“This year’s show committee and the Uncoastal Social leadership team loved the idea of getting involved in this new project,” Knoup said. “We raised $20,000 for Iowa Homes for Heroes during the Uncoastal Social event.”
In addition, the members of Professional Women in Building have selected the nonprofit for their fall donation drive in conjunction with their holiday party.
“They’ve reached out to the family and will be filling in gaps, purchasing things the family might still need now that they’ve moved in,” Knoup says.
R&R Realty Group has already donated another lot for the 2026 Iowa Homes for Heroes project, and the VA has already begun the process to select next year’s recipient.
“Everything went so smoothly with this first build,” Rupprecht says. “Any bumps were addressed quickly, and everyone was just anxious to make this project a success.”
The goal all along had been to have the home done before Veterans Day, and the team achieved that with a few days to spare.
The ribbon cutting held on Friday, November 7, was attended by representatives from R&R Realty Group, Jerry’s Homes, the Veterans Administration, the HBA DSM, and the governor’s office, including Governor Kim Reynolds herself.
Clinton Graham, military veteran and recipient of the first Iowa Homes for Heroes, says he was overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone involved. “Three months ago my wife and I were basically homeless. We had to take on the responsibility of raising our grandchildren. We didn’t know what we were going to do. The VA had been so helpful, but now this. Thank you just isn’t enough to express how we feel.”
Standing in front of his brand new home in the Oakwood Haven development in Urbandale, Graham said, “You all are my heroes today.”
Rupprecht says, “Everyone needs a helping hand at some point, and this is our way of thanking those people who have given so much to us.”
Get Involved in the 2026 Iowa Homes for Heroes Project
Learn more about next year’s home project and how you or your company can participate.
IowaHomesForHeroes.org