Our mission is to build community through affordable housing. At Homeward Bound Villages, our vision for Karwick Village goes beyond providing affordable rental units. Our goal is to develop and foster a cooperative-style community that will transform lives, bring connections, and create a network of support that extends far beyond our walls.
Early on in our planning for Karwick Village, we researched affordable housing models across the United States in search of best practices for our community here in La Porte County. Our research revealed a crucial insight: the most successful projects all shared one key element – a strong cooperative aspect. This finding has shaped our approach to Karwick Village, where we’re not just offering affordable housing but building community through affordable housing.
In our cooperative-style community, residents will find:
- Construction Built to Foster Community: From community gardens to our community building to our units that all face inward towards the middle of the Village, everything was designed with a purpose—to build community.
- Skill Building: Neighbors can share their expertise, whether it’s tutoring, accessing support services, or learning how to support the community board; together, the community learns, teaches, and grows skills.
- Emotional Support: A built-in network of neighbors who understand and support each other through life’s ups and downs.
- Community Decision Making: Residents have a voice in shaping their living environment, fostering a sense of ownership and pride.
The impact of a strong support network cannot be overstated. Many individuals find themselves facing housing insecurity not only due to a lack of income alone but also because of a lack of a support system. By fostering a cooperative community, we’re creating a safety net that can prevent future housing insecurity and promote personal growth.
Imagine Sarah, a single mother who dreams of going back to school. In a traditional housing setting, childcare costs might make this impossible. However, in our cooperative community, with affordable rent, perhaps childcare now becomes more affordable in her budget, making her educational goals achievable.
Or consider John, an elderly resident who faces isolation in traditional housing. In our community, he’ll find neighbors checking in on him, community dinners to attend, and opportunities to share his lifetime of skills with younger residents.
These aren’t just hypothetical scenarios. These are the kinds of life-changing interactions we’re designing Karwick Village to foster every day.
Your Role in Building This Community
This is where you, our potential Community Builder Donors, come in. Your monthly pledge of $12 – symbolic of the 12 units we’re building at Karwick Village – does more than contribute to construction costs. It’s an investment in creating this supportive environment that will change lives for years to come.
Your donation helps us:
- Build communities that encourage interaction- Karwick Village is our first community in La Porte County.
- Allow our affordable rental units to remain forever affordable for La Porte County residents.
- Provide resources for our organization to continue building, designing, and fostering community through affordable housing across La Porte County.
- Ensure our cooperative model is sustainable for the long term.
Join Us: $12 for 12 Units
We’re inviting you to become a Community Builder Donor with a monthly pledge of $12.
Together, let’s prove that when we invest in community, we invest in a brighter future for all. Become a Community Builder Donor today, and be the change you want to see in La Porte County.