Help Build Joppa Village

Project Description

Joppa Village is becoming a reality. Dirt is moving and the first Cottage Homes are taking shape. $6.9 million remains to complete Phase I of this $12.5 million public-private investment. Joppa Village is uniquely focused on a problem many of us want to solve: getting people experiencing chronic homelessness off our streets and into safe, permanent homes where they can live with dignity.

Joppa Village is bringing a proven approach to chronic homelessness to Greater Des Moines: permanent, affordable housing within an intentional community of supportive relationships, voluntary services and opportunities to contribute. Neighbors will have a home of their own, pay affordable rent projected at $300–$500 per month, and live in a supportive Village community where they can build relationships and access healthcare, behavioral health, addiction recovery, case management and other services through trusted community partners.

Phase I will create 25 Cottage Homes, the NeighborCare Community Center, roads, utilities, security, laundry and shared community spaces. Joppa Village will grow as funding becomes available. As additional dollars are raised, Joppa can build more homes and shared facilities, growing toward 52 homes in the first two phases and more than 200 permanent homes at full buildout.

The potential impact is significant. The 2026 Point-in-Time count identified 222 people experiencing chronic homelessness in Greater Des Moines. Housing just the first 50 Village neighbors is projected to save our community approximately $3 million annually through reduced use of emergency services, hospitals, law enforcement and other public systems.

There are opportunities to invest at every level. Major transformational gifts can help build the NeighborCare Community Center, Village Market, shared community spaces and infrastructure that make the entire Village possible. Each $100,000 gift can build a complete Cottage Home, creating a permanent home for a neighbor who has experienced chronic homelessness for years.

The Village is taking shape now, and you can help build it.