How a Texas Town Is Redefining Housing for the Vulnerable

A large housing initiative in Ferris, Texas, is drawing attention for its focused approach to homelessness in North Texas. Located about five miles from Interstate 45, a 280-acre development known as Our Community is gradually taking shape.

The project, launched by the Dallas-based nonprofit Our Calling, centers on a group often overlooked in housing programs—elderly and disabled individuals experiencing homelessness.

The development is designed to offer stability, safety, and a sense of belonging. While many programs address short-term shelter needs, this project focuses on long-term housing combined with supportive services.

Early phases of the neighborhood are already underway, while future plans point to a much larger residential network.

A Vision Rooted in Service and Faith

YouTube | CBS TEXAS | Pastor Wayne Walker views this land as the sacred realization of a long-held mission to serve the vulnerable.

Pastor Wayne Walker, CEO of Our Calling, describes the land with deep reverence. According to Walker, the site represents more than a housing project. It stands as a meaningful place where long-standing plans to serve vulnerable individuals are beginning to materialize.

“If I were a little bit more informal, I would tell you to take your shoes off,” Walker said. “Because where you’re standing is holy ground. We’ve seen God do a miracle here.”

Walker explained that the project grew from a clear observation about gaps in housing services. Programs often struggle to accommodate individuals who require long-term care or additional support due to age or disability.

“We’ve recognized that there is one group that no one will take, and that’s people who are elderly and disabled,” Walker said. “These are someone’s aging parents who need a safe place to go. To create that space – and not just talk about it, but now open it – is a beautiful thing to see.”

Housing Crisis to a New Beginning

Several residents arrived at the community after difficult life events. Anita and Kenneth Johnson represent one such story.

Three years earlier, the couple reached an Our Calling inclement-weather shelter after a dispute with a landlord left them without housing. The situation quickly forced them into unstable living conditions.

“We went from my big old cozy bed to sleeping on the concrete,” Anita Johnson said. “That was tough.”

The couple credits both faith and community support for helping them rebuild stability. Their transition into a permanent home at the new development marked a major change in their lives.

“Thank you, Lord,” Kenneth Johnson said when reflecting on the moment they stepped into their new home. “This is ours. We just don’t know how blessed we have been.”

Stories like the Johnsons’ illustrate the type of long-term stability the project aims to provide.

Neighborhood Design Encourages Connection

The layout of the small-home neighborhood intentionally promotes interaction among residents. Homes face one another rather than turning outward. Shared outdoor spaces allow neighbors to meet, talk, and spend time together.

Children play nearby while adults gather on front porches or common lawns. This structure encourages familiarity and support within the community.

A distinctive part of the design involves families known as “missionals.” These residents are not formerly unhoused. Instead, they choose to live within the neighborhood to build relationships and provide consistent encouragement to neighbors.

Abraham and Anna Jenkins are among those families.

“They know us, they know our kids, and we love them,” Abraham Jenkins said when describing the connections that form through daily interaction.

Anna Jenkins explained that the decision came after years of discussing the importance of living within a supportive community.

“We spent years talking about how important community was,” she said. “Then this was dropped in our laps – like, ‘Are you ready to live out what you’ve been talking about?’ And we said yes.”

The presence of missionals helps maintain an environment where residents interact regularly rather than living in isolation.

Full Residential Community Expansion Plans

YouTube | CBS TEXAS | The development begins with 25 homes, eventually expanding into a 500-unit community.

The project is still in its early phase. So far, the first stage has delivered 25 homes, beginning to shape what the neighborhood will become.

But the long-term plan reaches well beyond that starting point, with a vision for a fully developed residential area of up to 500 homes.

Future phases could bring in services designed to make daily life easier and more comfortable. These may include on-site medical care, a grocery store for essentials, and a coffee shop that gives residents a place to gather. Other features could also be added over time to improve accessibility and day-to-day living.

The goal is to build a neighborhood where people can meet their basic needs without traveling far.

Walker said the project did not grow out of a single donation or sudden funding boost. Instead, it came together gradually through consistent support and shared effort.

“It was because God himself said this is the time and this is the place,” Walker said. “And we’re so excited to be here today.”

The 280-acre Our Community development in Ferris is designed to provide housing for elderly and disabled individuals experiencing homelessness in North Texas. It currently includes 25 homes, with plans to expand to as many as 500, along with additional services.

The layout encourages everyday interaction, while mission-driven families living on-site help create a sense of support. The broader aim is to offer stable housing along with a connected, reliable community.