Joppa Village Groundbreaking

After more than a decade of planning, collaboration and community support, Joppa broke ground today on Joppa Village at 2501 Maury Street in Des Moines. The milestone marks the beginning of construction on a permanent housing community designed specifically for local men and women who have experienced chronic homelessness.

Nearly 400 local leaders, partners, donors, volunteers and community members gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony, which included remarks from Joppa and community leaders, a ceremonial groundbreaking and opportunities to learn more about the housing, support services and phased construction plans for Joppa Village.

“This groundbreaking represents more than the beginning of construction. It represents years of prayer, persistence and people coming together around the belief that no one should be forgotten or left behind simply because they have struggled to escape homelessness,” said Joe Stevens, Joppa president and CEO. “Joppa Village will give people who have experienced years of homelessness an opportunity to not only find a home, but the relationships, support and sense of belonging they need to rebuild their lives. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped us reach this moment.”

Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen joined Joppa leaders and community partners for the groundbreaking.

“The Joppa Village project will provide a valuable resource for our community—permanent, supportive housing,” Boesen said. “As our homeless population is growing, it’s critical to provide more shelter and affordable housing options so that people experiencing homelessness have a safe place to go.”

Joppa Village will provide permanent, affordable housing specifically for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Fully furnished Cottage Homes will range from 192 to 384 square feet, with projected rents of $300 to $500 per month based on size. Each home will include a bedroom, living area, kitchenette and full bathroom.

Joppa Village is specifically designed for local men and women who meet the federal definition of chronic homelessness: people who have experienced extended or repeated homelessness while living with a disabling condition that makes it much harder to get off the streets and remain housed.

Housing is only part of the Joppa Village model. Residents, whom Joppa calls “neighbors,” will live in an intentionally designed neighborhood with access to supportive relationships, voluntary services and opportunities to participate in community life—all designed to foster long-term stability, purpose and belonging.

At full buildout, Joppa Village is designed to provide more than 200 permanent homes. The 2026 Point-in-Time count identified 222 people experiencing chronic homelessness in Greater Des Moines, while Joppa’s field data suggests the actual number on any given day may be closer to 300. At full buildout, Joppa Village could provide permanent homes for approximately two-thirds of today’s chronically homeless population.

Joppa Village is also expected to reduce the community costs associated with chronic homelessness. Joppa projects that housing the first 50 neighbors could save approximately $3 million annually through reduced use of emergency services, hospitals, law enforcement and other public systems.

Thanks to grants and generous early investments from corporations, foundations and community members, Joppa has already raised enough to begin construction on the first five Cottage Homes. At Thursday’s groundbreaking, Joppa also announced the launch of the $7.4 million Joppa Village Community Capital Campaign to complete funding for Phase I. Combined with $5.1 million already secured or pending through public and private investments, the campaign will complete funding for the $12.5 million Phase I investment. Phase I will include 25 Cottage Homes, the NeighborCare Community Center, laundry facilities, roads, utilities, security and other shared infrastructure and amenities designed to support the Village and future expansion. 

“Today we celebrate how far this community has brought Joppa Village, but we also know there is much more to build,” Stevens said. “We’re inviting people across Greater Des Moines to help create a place where people who have been forgotten or overlooked know they are valued, loved and have a place to belong.”

Joppa is an official replicator of Community First! Village in Austin, Texas, one of the nation’s most recognized approaches to chronic homelessness and home to more than 500 formerly chronically homeless neighbors. Joppa has spent years studying the model through training, site visits and shared learning and is adapting it for Greater Des Moines.

To learn more about Joppa Village or support the Joppa Village Community Capital Campaign, visit Joppa.org/Village.

###

About Joppa
Joppa is a Des Moines nonprofit that helps homeless people survive, find housing and rebuild their lives. Since 2008, Joppa has engaged the community to give their time, talents and resources to help people access existing resources and fill gaps in homeless services, housing and long-term stability. Joppa has helped more than 900 people get off the streets, and 84% remain off the streets today. Through Street Outreach, its Homeless Resource Center and Aftercare programs, Joppa provides nearly 20,000 visits with homeless and recently housed individuals each year. Learn more at Joppa.org.