About Us

Everything we do at Homeward Bound Villages is guided by our Mission.

The Village Model

Our Village Model is based on the successful communities around the United States that have developed sustainable, forever affordable, cooperative villages.

Here is what makes this model so successful:

Forever Affordable Housing

Communities built by Homeward Bound Villages will remain forever affordable to residents using land trusts and cooperative ownership structures.

Cooperative Governance Model

We emphasize collaborative decision-making and resident participation in our villages, giving residents a sense of belonging, ownership, and the ability to build supportive and cooperative relationships.

Sustainable Dwellings

Environmentally friendly principles, such as energy efficiency, eco-friendly construction materials, and the use of renewable energy sources, are integral to our village model.

Cohesive Community

Our communities focus on shared spaces and amenities such as community gardens and social gathering areas to encourage community growth and grow support networks.

The specific implementation of the Village Model can vary from one community to another, as it is often adapted to the unique needs and goals of the residents and the local context. These communities prioritize long-term affordability, sustainability, and participatory decision-making as essential components of their design and philosophy.

Living Our Mission

Since its founding in 2017, Homeward Bound Villages has had one singular mission: to create community through affordable housing. While our mission has been singular, our work has been diverse. As an organization, we have worked tirelessly to advocate, learn, fundraise, and build partnerships to put our strategy into action. We have invited our community and possible future residents to workshops in order to ensure vital community feedback. We know that listening to the needs of our community is vitally important for our villages.

The Beginning: A Vision for Community-Centered Housing

Homeward Bound Villages began in 2017 with a simple belief: stable housing creates the foundation for healthier people and stronger communities. We set out to develop something different: permanently affordable cooperative housing where residents share responsibility, support one another, and build lasting stability together. From there, our mission was clear: we were creating community through affordable housing.

Vision to Reality: Building the First Village

Our mission was facilitated by the launch of our Karwick Village project, the first cooperative housing development in LaPorte County. With support from local partners, foundations, and community supporters, we began building a neighborhood designed for affordability, dignity, and connection.

Today: Community is Taking Root

As the first homes are completed, residents have moved into Karwick Village and formed the cooperative community that will guide and care for the village together. Relationships are growing, shared leadership is developing, and the vision of community-centered housing is coming to life, while our mission continues to guide our work.

The Future: Growing the Model in LaPorte County

Karwick Village is the first step in a long-term effort to expand permanently affordable cooperative housing in LaPorte County. Through this work, Homeward Bound Villages is demonstrating a proven, scalable model for cooperative housing that can grow to create stable homes, stronger communities, and lasting local impact. We believe affordable housing is essential to building sustainable communities across LaPorte County.