Joppa Village Tiny Home Community Receives Approval for Repurposed Schoolhouse Site in Des Moines

Joppa, a Des Moines-based non-profit, has received regulatory approval to develop Joppa Village, a 54-unit tiny home community designed for the chronically homeless. The project repurposes a historic 19th-century schoolhouse into a community hub offering healthcare, fitness, and dining services. This development represents a significant shift in permanent supportive housing models, utilizing private funding to address urban homelessness while potentially saving the city millions in annual costs.

Joppa Village will be situated at 2501 Maury St., occupying the site of the former Chesterfield School, which dates back to approximately 1890. The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment has approved a conditional-use permit to convert the 15,000-square-foot schoolhouse into a community center, which will include a 5,000-square-foot gymnasium addition, worship facilities, and on-site healthcare services. The residential component consists of 54 tiny homes ranging from 192 to 384 square feet, offered as single units, duplexes, and triplexes. Monthly rents are set between $300 and $700 USD, and the units feature private bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchenettes.

To qualify for residency, individuals must meet federal criteria for chronic homelessness, which includes having a disability or substance use disorder and a history of long-term or recurring homelessness. While no initial income is required, the village will provide on-site employment opportunities in groundskeeping and janitorial work paying $15 per hour to foster financial independence. Four of the units are specifically designated for Joppa staff and volunteers who will live on-site to provide continuous support. CEO Joe Stevens noted that the project is modeled after Austin’s Community First! Village, a successful development known for high rent collection and housing retention rates.

The total development cost for Joppa Village is estimated between $7.5 million and $10 million USD, funded entirely through private donors and partners without taxpayer expense. Despite the private funding model, the project is projected to save the city of Des Moines nearly $3 million USD annually once the first 50 residents are housed. Although some neighbors expressed concerns regarding crime and foot traffic, others welcomed the revitalization of the vacant schoolhouse. Joppa plans to break ground later this year, with the first residents expected to move into the community by 2027.