True Hope Village

True Hope Village READY TO SERVE

 BY  - NW Facts Newspaper

Middle left: Sharon Lee, Rev. Jeffrey of New Hope Church, Rev. Willis of True Vine Church, and True Vine parishioner. Middle right: New Hope parishioners donating hygiene supplies. Bottom right: True Hope Village kitchen and community space.

LIHI celebrated the opening of True Hope Village, the ninth tiny house village in Seattle. True Hope will shelter about 55 residents, including homeless families with children, students, seniors, veterans, singles and people with pets. The village is sponsored by New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and Truevine of Holiness Missionary Baptist Church and will feature 35 tiny houses with heat, insulation and electricity. The village includes shared kitchen, laundry, showers, counseling offices, security gatehouse and community space.

“Tiny houses are not the end solution for this struggle against homelessness; they are simply an interim action. We must continue to work for the day when affordable housing is available for everyone,” said Rev. Robert Jeffrey, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
True Hope houses were built by 400 Vulcan employees at CenturyLink Exhibit Center in partnership with Associated General Contractors (AGC), SVI, Urban League and nine contractors. Houses were also built and donated by UW Medex, Arlington High School, SVI, Northwest School, Walsh Construction, Sumner High School, IBEW Local 46, Google, Microsoft, Wheelhouse DMG, and John Ricker and his neighbors.
Two case managers will assist villagers with obtaining long-term housing, services, employment and healthcare. Residents will abide by a Code of Conduct. Full-time staff will be on-site 24/7 to supervise and keep the village clean, organized and safe. The Seattle Human Services Department is providing funding for operations and services. The Low Income Housing Institute, a nonprofit organization, is operating the village.

Referrals to True Hope Village will come from Seattle Vocational Institute, Urban League, Seattle Indian Center, SPD’s Navigation Team, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Truevine Of Holiness Missionary Baptist Church, and LIHI.