Tiny house village for trafficking survivors gets big matching grant in Jacksonville

Villages of Hope , a planned 14-tiny house community for women escaping human trafficking, has received a $500,000 challenge grant from Jacksonville philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver .

The nonprofit community on the city's Westside has raised about $1.4 million of the $2.4 million capital construction cost. The grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida requires the nonprofit to first raise $600,000 — that with the match will cover the remaining cost.

"We are incredibly grateful," co-founder Donna Fenchel said. "We call on the community to help us meet this challenge and make a meaningful impact."

Florida ranks third in the United States for human trafficking , with Jacksonville the third highest in the state, according to Villages of Hope. At issue locally is the lack of adequate, safe housing and tailored care for survivors.

"I am deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication of nonprofit professionals both at home andaround the world," Weaver said. "Together, we will make a difference."

Villages of Hope will be built on a donated one-third of an acre, with 14 tiny houses each housing two women referred by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and other partners. One house is already there to act as a model. A building that was already on the property has been renovated as a community center, which will be a hub for meals, therapy and medical care.

Additional buildings will house social enterprise, training and a store, among other things. Residents will be transported to services that are not on site.

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To donate or get more information, call (904) 253-3123 or go to villagesofhope.org .

bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Tiny house village for trafficking survivors gets big matching grant in Jacksonville