DES MOINES, Iowa — One of Des Moines’ most visible buildings is in line for a whole new life.

“It came on our radar in September,” says Emily Osweiler of Greater Des Moines Supportive Housing, “and so we went for a tour and it seemed like perfect fit.”

She’s talking about the downtown Holiday Inn.

It has sat perched over I-235 for decades, but has long since fallen out of favor as an upscale hotel. In fact, its underground parking area is in such disrepair it can’t be used.

But this week, the Des Moines City Council agreed to contribute up to $5 million in HUD grants toward the purchase of the property, and housing advocates see it as a small but desperately-needed step toward addressing one of the city’s biggest needs.

Matt Hauge of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund says the building’s size will allow it to provide tenants with more than just affordable shelter.

“It’s not every day that we have the opportunity to combine housing, plus the opportunity for needed support services all in one venue and check off 160 units that we know are really needed here in Greater Des Moines,” he says.

Osweiler says services located in the lobby will be aimed at helping all tenants — from those who are just off the streets, to those who simply need to build enough savings to move into market-rate housing.

“Case management, rental assistance, food pantry, groups and classes,” she says, “so all kinds of ways to support people kind of in different aspects of their lives.”

While Osweiler’s group has secured the necessary $8.75 million to purchase the property, it will need to locate another $25 million in public and private funds for building renovations before any work might actually begin.

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