New Beginnings: Groundbreaking on Affordable Housing for Families

Community Rescue Mission has officially broken ground on the Miller Cottages, a new transitional housing project in Fort Smith designed to support families moving out of homelessness.

Once completed, the site will offer three duplexes—each one a critical stepping stone for families striving toward stability, safety, and independence. With reduced rent options and direct access to wraparound services provided by Community Rescue Mission and its partners, the Miller Cottages represent more than just housing—they are a launchpad for long-term success.

"This is a wonderful project," shared Virgil Miller of Arvest Bank. “It helps with transition, it helps with affordable housing, it helps people get back on their feet.”

The goal of the cottages is not just to shelter families, but to provide the support structure that empowers them to thrive. These homes will serve those already engaged in services, creating a continuum of care that includes not only shelter, but also case management, workforce development, and other key resources.

Restore Hope serves as a development team member on this meaningful project and many dedicated community leaders have played a role in making the Miller Cottages a reality, including the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Jim Petty and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, Arvest Bank, Fort Smith Mayor George McGill, the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, and advocates like Community Rescue Mission Executive Director Jordan Bone, Bone's predecessor Heather Sanders, and Founder Bob Miller.

Bone remarked, “I kind of view this as just an opportunity to get it right and see how we can improve on it for the future, so we can do the same thing again.”

His words reflect the broader vision behind the Miller Cottages—one that reaches beyond this groundbreaking moment. This is only the beginning. The hope is that the success of this project will serve as a model for future housing solutions, inspiring continued investment and collaboration to expand safe, affordable housing options for families across the region.