Community First Village leaders described an integrated village model used in Austin that pairs microhomes and park-model RVs with on-site health care, employment opportunities and community-building to support chronically homeless people.

The assistant director of relationships for Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Sarah Lenore, told the Housing and Homeless Solutions Committee on Nov. 4 that the village began from a truck ministry feeding people on the street. "Our mission is to provide food and clothing and cultivate community and dignity for our homeless brothers and sisters in need," Lenore said. She said the original site is a master-planned 51-acre campus with about 550 homes and on-site clinic and community facilities.

Lenore said Community First combines three housing types: microhomes (about 1501503 sq ft), park-model RVs (~399 sq ft with full bathrooms) and a prototype tiny duplex townhome. Residents pay heavily subsidized rent and the site maintains shared laundry, showers and communal kitchens.

Why it matters: committee members said Dallas lacks single-occupancy and permanent supportive housing in some neighborhoods, especially south of downtown, and wanted to examine whether Community First's features could be replicated or adapted here.

Key details: Lenore said Community First has an operating budget of about $21,000,000 a year and that roughly three-quarters of operations are supported by private fundraising; she said operations currently have no ongoing government-funded portion but the organization has accepted county ARP funds for capital expansion. She cited a consultant study with Boston Consulting Group that "our model actually saves the public about 10 to $18,000 per person, by mitigating emergency service use," and reported an approximately 85% retention/stability rate among residents.

Council questions focused on siting, neighbor relations, transportation access and whether residents are considered "housed" under HUD definitions. Lenore said Community First is largely in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) outside Austin city limits and that land was largely purchased or donated. She described early neighborhood opposition during siting and long-running efforts to demonstrate community benefits; she also said the village provides a bus stop on-site and coordinates transportation and on-site primary and behavioral care.

What comes next: Council members thanked the presenter and suggested staff follow up on details about HUD eligibility, mobility and potential Dallas adaptations. Lenore offered to share more materials and tours of Community First for interested members.

Ending: Committee members said the presentation would inform forthcoming Dallas discussions about capacity and treatment options for people experiencing chronic homelessness.