Board approves lease for 47-acre site to host Hope Village tiny-home project

The Florence School District One board approved a lease agreement for a 47-acre property the district obtained through legal procedures; roughly 22 acres will be used to build a tiny-home project called Hope Village to serve people experiencing homelessness, administration said.

Dr. O'Malley walked trustees through maps in the packet showing the full 47-acre tract and a small red square marking the footprint planned for housing, parking and infrastructure. "We'll use approximately about 22 acres, because there has to be a retention basin and things like that," he said, adding that the remainder would be available for a local farmer to maintain and donate proceeds to House of Hope to offset operational costs.

Administration said construction for the Hope Village project is anticipated to begin in August. A board member who moved the lease approval described community benefits: easier access for students who were previously traveling off-site for facilities and an opportunity to reduce family homelessness in the area.

The board moved, discussed and approved the lease agreement by voice vote.