WACO, Texas — Mission Waco has had the goal of assisting the unhoused community in McLennan County since the organization was created.
In 1978, Jimmy and Janet Dorrell bought a deteriorating house in North Waco and they saw the building's potential. Now, the non-profit organization has expanded to offer services including internships, children/adult groups, educational tours, volunteer opportunities and a shelter for the unhoused.
Mission Waco’s associate executive director of advancement Carlos Hinojosa told 6 News the organization was inspired by Community First in Austin to further their efforts for the unhoused and build them a tiny homes community.
"Housing is more and more unaffordable as people are buying homes," Hinojosa explained. "They're buying further down market which prices a lot of people out of housing. This is seeking to address some of the issues of housing not being available."
Mission Waco reports about 242 people who are chronically unhoused in Waco. That does not include people living in and out of motels and people living paycheck to paycheck.
This is why in 2021, the organization purchased 68 acres of land just outside of Waco on University Parks Dr. to create the Creekside Community Village.
"We hope that this project will have 300 homes," Hinojosa said. "The full project will cost us at least $35 million."
Right now, the organization is in phase one of the project. Phase one will include building the community's infrastructure and building 35 tiny homes. This phase will cost the organization $12 million in total, and the organization has raised $7.7 million so far.
"This first phase will be completed in a year to 18 months," said Hinojosa. "This may take two or three phases to fully complete."
20% of the community will include “Missional” residents who are not formerly unhoused but choose to live in community with those who are.
Here is what each tiny home will include:
- Microhomes
- Partially plumbed homes
- Park model homes
- Neighborhood centric
- Community kitchens
- Individual centralized bathrooms
Each home will be one person per home and each person will have to pay rent. However, Mission Waco says there is an opportunity for “dignified income.”
People who have stayed in a shelter, a low-budget motel or have been camping out in tents are qualified to live in Creekside Village.
The location, 3810 S University Parks Dr., is not too far from Baylor University. Mission Waco says their proximity to Baylor is a plus because they align with Baylor’s Christian core values. The Creekside Village location will also give people an opportunity for volunteerism, academic internships and apprenticeships, according to Mission Waco.
Mission Waco is open to working with local builders who are open to donating their labor and time to help with the project.
"We're committed to this phase and getting it on the ground and getting people living in it," Hinojosa added.
Mission Waco will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Creekside Village site. The start time for the event has yet to be specified.