A new tiny home village is underway in Des Moines, Iowa, designed to provide stable housing and essential services to people facing chronic homelessness. With rents starting at $300 a month and a community hub offering free healthcare, Joppa Village aims to create a supportive environment for 50 residents to regain hope and independence.
- 50 tiny homes with rents from $300 to $700 monthly
- Free healthcare and community services onsite
- Supportive employment opportunities available
What happened
Des Moines has approved the creation of Joppa Village, a tiny home community targeting individuals who are chronically homeless. The project repurposes a 19th-century school building into a vibrant community hub featuring amenities such as a chapel, gym, and healthcare facilities. The village will contain 50 cottage-style homes, ranging from 192 to 384 square feet, with rents starting as low as $300 per month.
The initiative earned unanimous backing from the city’s zoning board and secured a 20-year lease on the property, providing a stable foundation for its operations. Joppa, the nonprofit behind the project, modeled the village after Austin's Community First! Village, which has successfully housed nearly 400 formerly homeless individuals. The plan is to break ground this year and welcome the first residents in 2027.
Why it feels good
Joppa Village offers more than just housing; it creates a compassionate community designed to help people escape the cycle of homelessness. By providing free health services and opportunities for meaningful work, the village empowers residents to rebuild their lives in a safe and supportive setting. The approach addresses both immediate needs and long-term stability.
This project marks a hopeful step for Des Moines in tackling homelessness with dignity and care. It ensures residents don’t just have shelter but also access to healthcare, transportation, and communal resources that foster connection and well-being. The involvement of local government and a nonprofit working collaboratively contributes to the village’s promising outlook.
What to enjoy or watch next
Keep an eye on Joppa Village as it develops through 2026 and welcomes its first residents the next year. The community’s progress will offer a tangible example of how tiny homes paired with supportive services can change lives. Interested observers can look for updates on construction milestones and the village’s impact on reducing chronic homelessness locally.
Those inspired by this effort may also want to explore similar models like Austin’s Community First! Village to see the broader potential of tiny home villages in other cities. Supporters of housing innovations can consider how such projects create not just residences but vibrant communities of care and opportunity.