Sage Lewis initiated and managed a tent village known as the "Second Chance Village" in Akron, Ohio, intended to provide a safe place for homeless individuals. This site was created as a response to the lack of legal places for homeless individuals to shelter, reflecting Lewis's view that American homelessness is a significant humanitarian crisis.

The village operated largely as a self-governed community with a "by the homeless, for the homeless" mentality. Weekly meetings were held, and a tri-council elected by the inhabitants oversaw the community's rules and processes . Security was managed internally, with a team of around five people providing round-the-clock oversight to ensure order and safety .

Despite its success in creating a more accurate count of the homeless population and providing a sense of community and security for its residents, the village faced significant opposition from local authorities. Critics, including those in the Akron government, misinterpreted the increased visibility of homelessness as an increase in homelessness itself, rather than recognizing it as an uncovering of pre-existing conditions. Consequently, the village was ultimately shut down by the city government, which imposed zoning violations against it.

The closure of Second Chance Village did not stop Sage Lewis from continuing his advocacy. He later helped establish another village called the "Houseless Movement Garden," maintaining his commitment to providing shelter and fighting for the rights of homeless individuals despite ongoing legal challenges.