A tiny home village that will provide housing and services for chronically homeless people is moving closer to becoming a reality.

The Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission on Thursday will decide whether to approve rezoning 10 acres near 2501 Maury St., a step that would allow a nonprofit group to build 54 housing units on the site.

The property is just south of the aged and vacant Chesterfield School, part of which could be turned into a community center that would provide support services to the low-income renters.
A recent report to the Des Moines City Council shows the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city is increasing. In the summer, a special count showed there were 768 homeless people; the previous year there were 729 people who were homeless.

The number of people who are chronically homeless – those with disabilities or substance abuse disorders or who have been homeless for 12 straight months – is also growing. In the summer, there were 178 chronically homeless in Des Moines, up from 128 in the summer of 2024.

The tiny home village proposed by Joppa would provide permanent housing to at least 50 chronically homeless men and women, said Joe Stevens, the nonprofit group’s CEO and co-founder. Joppa provides services to the homeless as well as helps them find housing, work and other resources.

Creating a village with permanent housing for people who are homeless has been discussed in the Des Moines area for about 12 years, Stevens said. About four years ago, Joppa discussed developing the homes in an area along County Line Road. The area, though, wasn’t near services, an important component of ensuring the community’s success.

City officials suggested developing the village on land it owned adjacent to Chesterfield School.

“This will be different from typical housing projects where you provide housing and support programs,” Stevens said. “This adds a third leg – community.”

One or more members of Joppa’s staff will live in the development as will some community volunteers. “In their spare time, the staff and volunteers will help and serve those who have experienced chronic homelessness,” Stevens said.

The concept is based on Austin Community First! Village, a 400-resident tiny home village and RV park located on 27 acres just outside of Austin, Texas. The village, created in 2015, has become a model for other communities in addressing homelessness.

“It’s a proven model in helping chronically homeless people find their forever home and stay there until they die,” Stevens said. The Austin program has a 99% rate of rent collection and an 83% rate of previously homeless people staying in the homes, according to a recent report by the Council of State Governments.

The Des Moines tiny home village will include 54 homes with a mix of single houses, duplexes and triplexes. Homes will range in size from 192 to 384 square feet. Monthly rent will range from $300 to $700.

The homes, designed by BSB Design – Des Moines, include a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and living room. “They are very dignified, beautiful, brand-new homes,” Stevens said.

The people who rent the homes do not need to have a source of income to live in the village. “They can work in the village and make enough money to pay their monthly rent,” Stevens said. “While there will be a lot of grace in the beginning, people will need to pay rent and they will be offered opportunities to make that money.”

Joppa has been helping people who are homeless for the past 17 years. During that time, the group has helped over 750 people, Stevens said. “We have very robust aftercare and circle of friends programs. Our retention rate is over 80%, so we know how to help people who have been homeless for years get off the streets and stay off the streets.

“Now we’re going to be able to do that in a place where there’s actually a sense of community, rather than people being placed in different places around the city.”

Once all the necessary city approvals are received, Joppa hopes to break ground on the development in 2026 and begin moving people into homes in 2027. Development costs are estimated at between $7.5 million and $10 million.

Joppa began building tiny homes in 2019. Its first home was constructed on a lot in the 1300 block of Laurel Street in Des Moines. The home cost about $70,000 to build.

The village will offer support services such as primary health care. Organizations like the Veterans Administration and others will have offices on the site.

“Being able to have your own home and pay your own rent will be a big deal to a lot of these people,” Stevens said. “They will have a lot of pride in home ownership.”