City Council Overwhelmingly Approves Joppa Village – News Release

New community will provide permanent supportive housing and hope for chronically homeless individuals

DES MOINES, IA. (Oct. 20, 2025) – Joppa, a nonprofit organization that helps homeless people survive, find housing and rebuild their lives, is pleased to announce overwhelming approval from the City of Des Moines for the Joppa Village at 2501 Maury Street. The Joppa Village will be a community of unconditional love and support for chronically homeless individuals and help them rediscover hope, so they can once again become productive citizens and live a life of meaning. 

“We are grateful for the Des Moines City Council and City staff’s support of the Joppa Village project to help address homelessness in our community,” says Joe Stevens, Joppa CEO and Cofounder. “This approval allows us to provide permanent supportive housing to individuals who would otherwise be chronically homeless. Addressing such a complex issue requires collaboration, and we are excited to work alongside the City and other community partners to deliver one of many needed solutions.” 

Our journey to establish the Joppa Village in Des Moines began twelve years ago. While project details have evolved over time, the goal has remained the same – to create a safe place for individuals to live, work, recover and rediscover their value and purpose. After purchasing the previously proposed location on County Line Road in 2024, and seemingly reaching an impasse, City leaders asked Joppa to consider this alternative location on Maury Street. 

“Improving lives for people experiencing homelessness in our community is an effort that requires collaboration from partners who are invested in finding solutions,” says Joe Gatto, Des Moines city council member. “People living in our community deserve safety and shelter, and projects like the Joppa Village will help our residents experiencing homelessness start on the path to a better future.”

“Every dollar raised to purchase the previously proposed County Line Road property will be fully reinvested into this new site,” says Jim Hagberg, Joppa Village Project Director and Joppa Board Member. “This support from the City of Des Moines is essential for the Village and its residents to be successful, and we are eager to move forward.”

Joppa is an official replicator of Community First! Village in Austin, Texas, which is being emulated nation-wide. Privately funded through Joppa’s generous donors and partners, the Village will cost taxpayers nothing and is projected to save the City nearly $3 million each year with its first 50 residents.

About Joppa

Joppa is a nonprofit organization based in Des Moines, Iowa, that helps homeless people survive, find housing and rebuild their lives. Joppa engages the community to give their time, talents and treasures. We work together to help people access resources and fill gaps in homeless services, housing and education – because we believe community collaboration is key to ending homelessness. 

Trained Joppa volunteers visit hundreds of unsheltered and recently housed individuals each week to deliver food and supplies and build relationships—for nearly 900 consecutive weeks. Joppa has helped lift more than 750 people off the streets since it started in 2008, and over 80% remain in housing today. This year so far, Joppa has lifted 80 homeless individuals off the streets with support from private donors, supporters and volunteers.

About Joppa Village

The Joppa Village will provide permanent homes to 50 men and women who would otherwise be chronically homeless. The Village will offer supportive services, work opportunities, and access to public transportation for off-site employment opportunities. Residents will pay $300 to $700/month based on which Cottage Home they choose, with sizes ranging from 192 to 384 square feet. All Joppa Cottage Homes will have a bedroom, full bathrooms and kitchenettes.

Media Contacts: 

Meredith Garman, Wixted & Company 

Kelsey Ritchey, Wixted & Company  
Email: mgarman@thinkwixted.com | kritchey@thinkwixted.com 

Mobile: 515-226-0818