Launched in 2004, the Poverello House, a homeless shelter in Fresno, created the Village of Hope and in 2007, expanded to include the Community of Hope to meet an increasing demand for homeless shelters. The Villages consist of tiny homes, or Tuff Sheds, that accommodate about 124 clients every night. Homeless individuals staying in the Villages have access to services such as education, substance abuse counseling and life-skills training coordinated by a Client Services Coordinator.

With a motto of “take care of yourself, take care of others, and take care of this place,” the overnight clients are expected to provide their own security and clean-up after themselves. The simple shelter provides secure and temporary housing for individuals to make the transition into permanent housing.