Community of ‘tiny homes' to be built in Joplin
During Monday's meeting (6/2), council members gave the green light to what will be called the 'Wiggans Campus' of 'Vita Nova Village.'
It will consist of 16 small-format, or tiny homes, built in a walk-through community near West 12th Street and South Byers Avenue.
The one-bedroom, one-bath homes will be located on approximately 1-1/2 acres, and will include an on-site community building with a storm shelter and laundry facilities.
The entire project — costing more than $450,000 — will be paid for by community grants and private donations.
The project is meant to help folks who are struggling to find housing.
'Homelessness went up over 60% in the last year, and it's not looking to go down any at all, especially with the cost of housing rising significantly year-after-year, and wages just aren't keeping up, so I think the need is just going to keep increasing,' said Vita Nova Village Executive Director, Rhonda Thompson.
No word yet on when construction will begin on the 'Wiggans Campus.'
Plans are in the works for other small-format housing communities to be built in the Joplin area under the Vita Nova brand.
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