Austin’s Community First! Village is a planned community designed specifically for men and women who are experiencing homelessness and yearn for a permanent place to call home. A development of well-known Austin nonprofit Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF), the Village is the largest neighborhood of its kind in the nation. Our team’s behind-the-scenes tour revealed insights into not only what makes this innovative community work, but also, how much it has in common with the fundamentals of any successful master-planned community. And that’s a subject near and dear to the team at Wick Marketing.
About
Community First! Village provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness. Since 2015, it has lifted more than 340 homeless men and women off the streets and into a mix of tiny homes, RVs and other small structures. Residents here are called neighbors, and those participating in MLF’s Community Works program earned $1.2M in dignified income in 2021 through various work opportunities around the Village. And the residents’ journeys tell the story of a place that has deep and lasting impact – for the individuals and the surrounding community.
Gathering Spaces
Both Community First! Village and other planned communities offer amenities and features that appeal to potential residents. Community First! Village has a variety of shared spaces and resources, such as community gardens, an outdoor cinema, culinary programs, an art house and shared outdoor spaces, not unlike what is found in many planned communities.
Community
Community First! Village is built around the idea of creating and facilitating a tight-knit and supportive community of neighbors, based on the premise that we are designed to live in relationship to one another. Love, dignity and respect are foundational, and show up in shared meals and in opportunities to work, create and live together as neighbors. Creating opportunities for connection and supporting a sense of community also are priorities for many planned communities.
Personality
“I loved the feel of the community! It was so welcoming, well-kept and I loved the design of each tiny home,” was among comments from our team members. “People were out talking to their neighbors, walking dogs, hanging out at the local store,” said another. Even in just a couple of hours, the sense of place was evident. Observations like these align with what gets prospective homebuyers talking about any planned community.
Pride of Ownership
Neighbors may choose their home and have the opportunity to personalize it, creating a uniqueness that makes it their own. They pay rent and the pride of ownership is every bit as evident here as it is in any community. From Icon’s 3D printed homes and welcome center, to tiny homes built by local builders who generously contribute to the effort, the variety of offerings creates a community that is differentiated by its own look and its own story.
Builders or individuals who want to get involved, start here. To learn more about its upcoming expansion plans that are expected to add about 1,400 homes on 127 acres, go here.
If you’re looking for a marketing partner to help you get the story right for your planned community, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Barbara Wray at barbara@wickmarketing.com or (512) 564-4289.
