The club is moving ahead on plans to construct two townhouse-style duplexes in the city to be known as Kiwanis Hope Village.
Each of the duplexes - located at Dixie and High streets - will provide transitional housing, hopefully, for no more than a year for any one family.
Three years ago the club partnered financially with the HOPE Program, which serves homeless children through a joint venture with the Gainesville and Hall County school systems.
Last year, Ellen De Foor, president of the club at the time, suggested that it provide an even greater and more permanent support for homeless children and their families by providing them with transitional housing and a chance to get back on their feet.
To that end, the Kiwanis board of directors budgeted and set aside $25,000 as seed money for the project and added another $35,000 earlier this year.
The property was purchased in January, using a bank loan personally guaranteed by 11 Kiwanis Club members.
The initial plan calls for two townhouse-style duplexes, each with about 1,150 square feet, with three bedrooms, two baths, kitchen and living area, as well as air conditioning and a washer and dryer.
The club has launched a fund-raising campaign to help finance the project, with a goal of $1 million.
Artist's rendering, Gainesville Kiwanis Hope Village
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/8/212139