Unlike other homeless communities on the West Coast which are usually a combination of converted garden sheds and plastic boxes, Community First! Village is a collective of Park Models, tiny homes, and micro-homes that is about to expand beyond its 51-acre plot in East Austin.
Nearly 350 individuals formerly experiencing homelessness reside in the village, which provides permanent housing. Since there is no discretionary land use authority outside municipal boundaries, meant the village faced no zoning issues. As of March, the village’s retention rate for residents is about 88%. Through a series of new investments, Community First plans to soon triple its footprint.
Mobile Loaves & Fishes is leading an unprecedented collaborative effort to mitigate homelessness in the city of Austin. This transformative community exists to care for and serve our friends who are coming out of chronic homelessness and yearn for a permanent place to call home.
Features of Community First! Village Phase I:
- 100 RV/Park homes
- 130 Micro-homes
- 5 Laundry/Restroom/Shower Facilities
- 5 Outdoor Kitchens
- Capital Metro Bus Stop
- Community Art House
- Community Cinema
- Community Concessions & Catering
- Community Inn
- Community Market
- Genesis Gardens Organic Farm
- Memorial Garden and Prayer Labyrinth
- Topfer Family Health Resource Center
- Walking Trails
- Woodworking Shop
In the fall of 2018, Mobile Loaves & Fishes took a significant step in its ongoing effort to mitigate homelessness in Austin with the first expansion of Community First! Village. Phase II of the Village is directly adjacent to the Phase I development and adds an additional 24 acres – bringing the entire property to 51 acres and more than 500 homes.
Phase II of the Village will utilize the existing infrastructure of Phase I and will add these structures and amenities:
- 110 RV/Park Homes
- 200 Micro-homes
- 7 Laundry/Restroom/Shower Facilities
- 7 Outdoor Kitchens
- Community Gardens
- Community Works Entrepreneur Hub
- Donor Recognition Park
- Guest Parking Lot
- Living Room
- 3D Printed Office Building
CLICK HERE to learn more about Community First! Village
