The new housing program will provide wraparound services and income-based, self-sustaining rental homes for those at risk of homelessness.
Plano-based nonprofit Agape Resource and Assistance Center recently broke ground on Jericho Village, an “innovative urban village” that provides income-based, self-sustaining rental homes and wraparound services to vulnerable populations.
When finished, Jericho Village will include 38 units of rental homes, a community center, a playground and on-site access to wraparound support services like childcare, transportation, education, vocational coaches and counseling for adults and youth.
“This journey began as a search for a solution to a problem that is a barrier for our neighbors to be able to have a future with hope,” said Janet Collinsworth, founder and CEO of Agape, noting that coupling attainable housing with support services is crucial to empowering households to retain or attain economic, emotional and physical stability.
Agape has provided transitional housing and wraparound support services for single women, single moms and their children experiencing homelessness since 2013. However, the organization saw a need for the Jericho program after women went through the program, gained higher paying jobs and still returned to obtain services due to rising rent costs in the last five years.
Because of this, a portion of the Jericho Village units will be set aside for women-led families who graduate from Agape, while others will remain available for households making 80% of the area median income or below. This is often school teachers municipal workers and firefighters, as the income typically ranges from $50,000-$55,000, Collinsworth noted in a press release.
“Jericho Village represents more than a collection of homes — it symbolizes hope, stability and a brighter future for those who need it the most,” said Tracey Cline, executive director of the CUTX Charitable Foundation. “Today’s ceremony is not just about breaking ground, it’s about laying the foundation for a lasting change.”
Agape hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the area on November 7 at The Cross Church in Wylie. “We are very happy to be able to welcome Jericho Village, and I hope that we will see additional Jericho Villages — or maybe they’ll all have their own name — in other cities in the future,” said Wylie Mayor Matthew Porter before proclaiming Nov. 7, 2024 as Jericho Village day in Wylie.