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Changing Lives

Making the Dream Reality

A Transformative Community Village

You Can Help End Homelessness in Waco

The Life-Changing Power of Community

Welcome Home

Community Takes All of Us

Groundbreaking transformation

Housing alone will not end homelessness, but community will. You can partner with Mission Waco to help provide low-cost permanent supportive housing to the homeless in McLennan County.

Greater Waco’s Challenge

Chronic homeless population icon

0

Chronic homeless population

does not include those in and out of homelessness staying in low-income motels (2023)

Poverty rate icon

0%

Poverty rate

Texas avg: 14.7%

Population paying excessive housing cost icon

0.8%

Population paying excessive housing cost

Texas avg: 29.5%

Annual cost to community per homeless individual icon

$0

Annual cost to community per homeless individual

(police, hospitals, mental health services, jails, etc.)

*Data from American Community Survey & National Alliance to End Homelessness

A Solution

  • Creekside Community Village is a transformative community, combining permanent supportive housing with life-giving community engagement.* 
  • This Community exists to empower our friends coming out of homelessness who long for a permanent place to call home. 
  • At full capacity, we hope to provide homes for over 300 formerly homeless individuals and will provide wrap-around services with existing Mission Waco programs and partners to keep them off the streets and in community. 
  • “Homeless” includes those as defined by HUD and some who may have been staying at low-income motels.
  • 20% of the community will include “Missional” residents who are not formerly homeless but choose to live in community with those who are. This mixed-income approach creates healthier and more sustainable neighborhoods. ”Missionals” will help provide residential care and community.

*Creekside is based on the Community First! Village model in Austin, TX.

*Special Thanks to Reese Reiling for photo usage

Why this location?

  • Site location: 68 acres on University Parks Dr
  • Available access to existing utilities 
  • Outside the city limits but in the Waco ETJ 
  • Easily accessible via bus to essential partnering services 
  • 35+ acres of green space to include multiple parks and agricultural development

Timeline


Closed on property in June 2023 – Ground Breaking October 8, 2024

$0 Raised so far.

A Community With
Permanent Housing

  • Microhomes 
  • Partially plumbed homes
  • Park model homes
  • Neighborhood centric
  • Community kitchens
  • Individual centralized bathrooms
Community Kitchens
  • Commercial Grade 
  • Gathering Space for Fellowship
  • Cooking Demonstrations 
  • Residential Use

Community Kitchens

Individual bathrooms in a centralized location
  • Showers
  • Bathrooms
  • Laundry

Individual bathrooms in a centralized location

35+ Acres of Farming & Green Space
  • Gardens
  • Parks
  • Animal Husbandry

35+ Acres of Farming & Green Space

Community Spaces
  • Gatherings 
  • Office Space
  • Service Providers

Community Spaces

Frequently Asked Questions

+Will this resource attract more homeless to Waco?

Those who relocate to Waco will not qualify. Individuals can stay in our shelter for three nights but must move on. Must have been in McLennan County for more than one year to apply for Creekside.

+Will residents pay rent?

  • Yes! This is the #1 rule. This is not free.
  • There is an opportunity for “dignified income.”
  • Rental rate based on unit choice.

+How will you handle crime and drug use?

Like any neighborhood, we cannot control what goes on in someone’s home. If, however, it spills out into the neighborhood and causes problems the appropriate authority will get involved. Policies, leases, and the law will dictate the severity of punitive action.

+Who qualifies to live at Creekside?

The “homeless” are individuals who have either stayed in a shelter, a low-budget motel, or have been camping out in tents.

+How will the surrounding businesses and residents feel about it?

It should increase surrounding property values and will offer a pristine development with unique structures and service opportunities.

+What will be the quality of the construction?

High-end construction materials. We will only use materials that will hold up to the elements and are of the highest quality.

+Why do some units not have plumbing?

  • It offers a cheaper rental rate, the sanitary and cleanliness can be controlled, and it is half the cost of the partially plumbed units.
  • Community accommodations prevent isolation (common with individuals new to housing) and enhance living in community, which helps with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

+What will security look like?

Perimeter fencing, gated front entrance, and on-site personnel.

+What about the proximity to Baylor?

  • Less panhandling on or near campus.
  • It aligns with Baylor’s Christian core values.
  • Incredible opportunity for volunteerism, academic internships and apprenticeships.

Fundraising Leadership Team

Billy Davis

Chairman

Glenn Robinson

Sarah Roberts

Jed Cole

Gregg Glime

Dianne Sawyer, MD

Jay Jeffrey

Camille Johnson

Jimmy Dorrell

John Calaway

Carlos Hinojosa

Make an impact in your community and beyond.

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Mission Waco Mission World 1315 N 15th St. Waco, TX 76707 | 254.753.4900
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