In Wylie, Texas, a new housing development called Jericho Village is set to provide a sustainable solution to the ongoing affordable housing crisis. Scheduled to open in the coming weeks, this initiative aims to serve as a national model for addressing housing instability. The soft opening on Saturday attracted community leaders, donors, and volunteers, highlighting the project’s significance in the local and broader context.
Jericho Village spans 2.5 acres and consists of 38 units across ten buildings, including nine residential units and a community center. Unlike traditional apartment complexes, Jericho Village is designed as a comprehensive community intended to support families in achieving long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Founder and CEO Janet Collinsworth emphasized that merely providing shelter is insufficient without accompanying support services. “Just putting someone in an apartment to get them off the street, that is not sustainable unless they have empowerment services to help them become who they can be,” she stated.
Comprehensive Support Services Designed for Lasting Impact
The project’s approach includes a variety of “wrap-around” services aimed at addressing the multifaceted needs of residents. These services encompass counseling, healthcare access, childcare, transportation, and educational opportunities. The rent at Jericho Village follows a sliding scale based on income, making it accessible to a diverse population. Although applications are not yet being accepted, residents are expected to start moving in as early as next month.
Wylie Mayor Matthew Porter expressed his support for the project, highlighting its focus on long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. “It’s great to give someone a place to stay,” he said. “But the wrap-around care that is part of this model sets it apart. It provides a way to change the outcome… the influence that will have on multiple generations of a family is what makes this so special.”
The initiative has garnered attention at the federal level. In February, Scott Turner, the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, visited Jericho Village to understand its potential impact on housing instability. Turner remarked, “For too long, our faith-based partners were excluded from HUD’s work supporting our most vulnerable citizens. Jericho Village shows how affordable housing, paired with supportive services, brings hope and dignity to families in need.”
Addressing Rising Housing Costs
The project is a culmination of six years of efforts, originating from the Agape Resource & Assistance Center in East Plano, a nonprofit focused on assisting women and children experiencing homelessness, particularly survivors of domestic violence. Collinsworth noted that Jericho Village was intentionally designed to serve as a model for sustainable housing solutions, demonstrating the power of collaboration among municipalities, donors, and community supporters.
According to 2023 U.S. Census data, the median rent in Texas stands at approximately $1,400, while in Collin County, it exceeds $1,860. In that year, nearly 40% of county residents allocated over a third of their income to rent, illustrating the significant financial burden many families face. Rising housing costs have steadily increased over the years, with the median rent in Collin County rising from nearly $1,250 in 2016 to nearly $1,560 in 2021. Such escalating costs pose a substantial barrier for families transitioning out of homelessness.
Support from local philanthropists also plays a crucial role in the initiative. Kaleta Doolin, an artist and philanthropist, contributed to Jericho Village through her nonprofit, the Every Page Foundation. Doolin expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We really liked this idea. I’m an advocate for women.” She hopes it will create opportunities for women who currently face significant challenges.
Collinsworth envisions Jericho Village as a potential blueprint for addressing affordable housing issues across the country. The affirmation from Turner during his visit reinforced her belief that the project represents a viable solution. “It affirmed what we believe to be a solution,” she stated. “That’s the linchpin, the fulcrum we need to really make a change in our country to provide housing that everyone needs.”
As Jericho Village prepares to welcome its first residents, its innovative model may not only transform lives in Wylie but also inspire similar initiatives nationwide to tackle the pressing issue of housing instability.
