Axios Des Moines: West Des Moines is launching a home improvement program to beautify properties in the city’s oldest neighborhood, Valley Junction. The new program is intended to give an extra boost of $4 million to an area of the city where improvements are most needed, said Clyde Evans, the city’s community development director. The Historic West Des Moines Housing Fund is a three-year pilot that will match a homeowner’s contributions to property improvements by up to $25,000. The program will also offer down payment assistance for new buyers.