House of Hope unveiled the project via a video at its Evening of Hope fundraising event at the Florence Center. A New Hope Village will be located at 1209 W. Douglas St. in Florence. The groups will hold a ground-breaking ceremony March 31.
Florence 1 Schools said in a statement today that the community will comprise 10 tiny homes and is expected to open in 2027.
House of Hope of the Pee Dee, based in Florence, is a Christ-centered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves the needs of men, women and children facing homelessness, according to its website. The nonprofit already operates Hope Village, a community of 24 tiny houses, where women, some with children, may stay up to two years. House of Hope CEO Jon Weiss Jr. said in an interview that, since this program began, his organization has helped more than 40 women regain custody of their children and 40-plus women obtain their GED diplomas.
Under a memorandum of understanding between the two groups, Florence 1 will build, own, furnish and maintain the homes and a common-area building, as well as construct a playground on the property, the statement said. For its part, House of Hope will support residents through education and employment programs and peer counseling, and it will connect them with health services. House of Hope will also provide meals and nighttime security for the community.
According to the statement, “Future residents will be identified by Florence 1 Schools, while House of Hope will determine their eligibility based on standards previously established for other facilities and programs they oversee.”
“We are so grateful for this partnership with Florence 1 Schools and know what this means for families and children in our community,” Weiss said in the statement. “It is a promise that we will continue to give children the safest and best opportunities we can to succeed in the future. Hope begins at home.”
Florence 1 Schools Superintendent Richard O’Malley said in the statement, “As a school district, we see firsthand how instability affects our students’ ability to learn and thrive. When we work together, with compassion and purpose, we can ensure every child and every family has the stability and support they need to succeed.”