Transitional Tiny Home Village

A Transitional Village to Help People Gain Sources of Income and Overcome Other Barriers to Housing

Joppa has studied best practices across the U.S and amalgamated the most successful ideas into a plan to create a village of transitional Joppa Loft Cottages in Central Iowa. This village will house 50-100 people using moderate sized homes, with kitchenettes and bathrooms, a community center, and meal areas.

The physical design of the village will help ensure survival. But the more important design element will be the structured program services to help each resident establish income and permanent housing.

The “Village” approach allows churches, schools and volunteers in the community to work together to solve the problem. This solution doesn’t require ongoing government funding. It’s based on successful models in other cities and simply requires community leaders willing to approve the use of land for this purpose.

Why Transitional Villages

1) IT’S A BETTER WAY TO BREAK THE CYCLE

The village will provide housing for 6 to 24 months for each resident. Similar villages in the U.S. have an average stay of under one year before individuals successfully transition to more traditional housing. The village provides secure, consistent housing for a prolonged period of time, which gives each resident time to find employment and housing – versus 30-90 days in a shelter.

2) PERSONAL SPACE, PLACE AND DIGNITY

There is a reason people become homeless. It can be medical reasons, mental health challenges, substance abuse, bad decisions or bad luck. Having their own personal space to secure your belongings can help people work through their issues with privacy, dignity and independence.

3) VILLAGE OPERATIONS MOLDS GOOD CITIZENS

The village is a community. Like all communities, it will rely upon the skills and services of its residents to operate. Similar to other villages in the U.S., day-to-day operations will be governed by the residents, with oversight by Joppa staff and volunteers. The residents will also take part in care and upkeep of the village. In addition to basic needs, there will also be micro-business opportunities such as a community garden, bee operation and chickens.

4) TRANSITION PROGRAM OUT OF HOMELESSNESS

There’s no cost to our cities or county. We just need their approval for this use of land.