Freedom Village :: Communities Directory

Formed: 1998 Established: 1998

This page last updated:7/13/2011

Freedom Village

Fayetteville, Arkansas,

United States

The basic ideology behind Freedom Village is to help provide suitable housing for those who have none.

Poverty is a manifestation of Slavery in it’s cruelest form.

Freedom Village is dedicated to fighting against poverty. The concept is to establish a community that incorporates both private homes and shared common facilities. One acre home sites will be leased, rented, or sold to members of the community for $1. The idea is to help those who have little or nothing find a home and community where they can feel productive, safe, and loved. This is not going to be some desert property, but arable farmland and woodlands. Idea community members would be newlyweds, retirees, single parents, homeless, hopeless, anyone who wants a home to call their own. There will be about 20 home sites all centered around a common community area, similar to a town square. This Town Square will have a gazebo, sitting area, and a play area and will consist of walking and bike paths. The Town Square is a place to sit and enjoy a book, walk your dog, or let your children play in safety.

In addition to the individual dwellings, there will also be a community building and a dorm-like housing unit. The community building will house a meeting hall, library, loan closet, storage area and kitchen. The purpose of the meeting hall is for public use by members of the community e.g. religious services, birthday parties, community meetings. The dorm building is to be used by visitors and as temporary housing by members while their own houses are under construction.

Outside income is not a requirement at Freedom Village. Any money or outside income you bring with you, belongs to you. If you have no source of income, you are welcome to participate in community projects and share in any income that's generated. These projects include wool production/weaving, selling of goods and produce at farmer's markets. We are currently considering the viability of establishing a small country store in area of our community. Such a store would be a gladly welcomed by our country neighbors. I'd personally like to see a county store similar to those of 100 years ago, rather than just another convenience store. Those are plans for the future maybe in a couple of years. Right now we need the people in our community to help make this happen.

Status: Once Again Accepting New Members

Contact:

Jo Grant or Thomas Baker
Fayetteville, 72703 United States

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

This page last updated:7/13/2011

Visitors Accepted

(Yes, of course!)

Visitor Process: All it takes is an email for directions, and just stop by anytime you want.

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community fits the legal definition of "housing for older persons" * and thus we may restrict membership/residency to those of a certain age and may have limits on child membership/residency in accordance with the law. Our community does not discriminate based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or domestic abuse.

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Because our housing is a single housing unit and requires the sharing of bathroom, kitchen and common space membership/residency may be restricted based on sex/gender in accordance with the law. Our community does not discriminate based on race/color, national origin, religion, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 8 Non-member Residents: 4 Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By majority rule Identified Leader: Yes (elected community) Leadership Core Group: No	Labor and Money Financial Style: Other (any outside income belongs to the individual, but income from community projects is shared) Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected (everyone contributes to the benefit of the community as a whole, to the best of thier abilities) Join Fee: Yes ($1 for the purchase price of a 1 acre home site) Regular Fees: No
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 20 acres (8.1 hectares) (in the process of purchasing adjacent acreage) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (each home site is individually owned) Number of Residences: 5 (Ready to expand to 20) Cohousing: Yes	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: over 50% Share Community Meals: Nearly all dinners (decisions like this are left up to the members and are expected to change as new members join) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (the trend seems to be shifting towards a more vegetarian diet) Alcohol Use: Used occasionally (this is up to the individual as long as it does not interfere with other members) Tobacco Use: Used Occasionally (this is up to the individual as long as it does not interfere with other members)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No (No formal practices in place, but all beliefs are welcome) Educational Style(s): Public schooled (current children are public schooled, but home school is welcome)

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Own Site

Commercial Lender:

Self-financed

Become an Editor Current editor(s): jogrant84

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Comment from Jen4communal on 8/1/2011 (Reader Rating: 0)

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I love this community concept. There are so many people who's sprit's are trampled on by poverty every day of their lives. In a society that values materialism over human relationships and quality of life, there are not many reprieves for people like this. People like me.

Comment from roblaluna on 4/1/2011 (Reader Rating: 0)

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Of what I have seen in the communities directory I was stopped to read more about Freedom Village. At 60 I walked away from a world of chaos to a 10 acre piece of Heaven near Hot Springs AR. On a river with year round spring running through, I am developing a self sustaining organic farmstead..It is just me and a couple of canine buddies. So I read and pick brains along the way. You will surely be picked.

Robert Sipes Sandystokes Farm, Jessieville Ar
roblaluna@gmail.com

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