Joppa Village Land Purchase

Thanks to God and the unwavering support of our incredible donors, campaigners and prayer partners, Joppa has successfully purchased 21 acres of land for a Tiny Home Village in Des Moines!

The Des Moines Register awarded Joppa a “Rose” for its original village plans in April 2016, which were developed after we began studying and visiting “tiny home villages” across the country in 2014.

Joppa plans to replicate the most successful tiny home village, which is Community First! Village (CF!V), based in Austin, Texas. This village has successfully provided permanent homes for nearly 500 chronically homeless individuals. Joppa believes their model offers a fundamental solution to homelessness, and we have been visiting CF!V and learning from their staff for eight years.

The mission of the Joppa Village is to lift 50 chronically homeless men and women off the streets of Des Moines by providing permanent, affordable homes in a supportive village community. The village will create a community of unconditional love for women and men currently experiencing homelessness to rediscover their purpose and apply their God-given talents to earn a dignified income and live in a supportive neighborhood with wrap-around services.

Our incredible development team includes BSB Design, Simonson + Associates, Snyder & Associates and others. The project is being led by Joppa board member Vernon Delpesce, retired CEO of YMCA of Greater Des Moines, who oversaw development of the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus.

DART helped develop the Joppa Village DART Transportation Plan to provide shuttle transportation services for the village; Broadlawns Medical Center and Free Clinics of Iowa are helping plan an onsite medical clinic. Casey’s has expressed interest in hiring residents to work in their convenience stores.

The Village is truly a collaborative project with widespread support! Developer and former city council member Tim Urban has been advising the Joppa Development Team, which is developing a master plan for the property. Tim took the lead as the Joppa Village Campaign Chair, working closely with CEO Joe Stevens to raise the $360k needed to purchase the village land. Developers Richard Hurd and Brian Martin have also become advisors.

The next step is to continue building support for the crucial rezoning approvals, which require a “yes” vote from the majority of our Des Moines city council members (at least four positive votes out of seven).

Friends and supporters of Joppa know that faith is the foundation of everything we do to help families and individuals experiencing homelessness in central Iowa. James 5:16 “NIV” says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” If you are willing to pray for Joppa, the people we serve, our city leaders and the village development, sign-up below for monthly prayer requests.