Tiny Village Is Built for Homeless Veterans So They Can Live There for Free

A non-profit in Kansas City is giving back to the community by building a small village for returning veterans to enable their transition from a life of homelessness.

After years of serving the country on the war fronts or military tours, many veterans have difficulty adjusting to normal life in the city. The Veteran Community Project, a non-profit organization in Kansas City, Missouri, has found a way around this pressing concern.

They established a mini-village within the city to meet the housing requirement of transitioning veterans and to give them a community of people with like minds.

A COMMUNITY TO CHERISH

The village comprises about 49 tiny homes covering several acres of Kansas City. Each home occupies about 240 to 320 square feet, just enough for one person to reside comfortably per the local zoning laws.

The houses are equipped with a kitchen, a bathroom, a sleeping area, and a tiny living room, which are the basic necessities required for one to feel at home.

In addition to the cool aesthetics, these free-living spaces are adequately furnished, with full utilities ranging from furniture to kitchen utensils.

The housing plan gives each veteran the leverage to take any appliance or furniture needed when they move out, as they would be refurnished each time a new veteran moves in.

These volunteers have helped sustain the system financially.

Aside from the guaranteed comfort, veterans get to enjoy the company of their loyal companions, pets who have stayed true to them through their years on the frontlines. The Veteran Community Project founders admitted that these pets help foster a feeling of warmth within the community.

THE GOAL

Setting up this inspiring project arose from a desire to honor everyone who dedicated their lives to serving the country at some point.

The non-profit's mission statement ideally represents their aim, which is to support every veteran, man, or woman who took the oath for the United States.

The project, geared towards making a difference in the lives of every veteran, was established by a group of combat veterans in Kansas City.

THE TWO-FOLD SUPPORT SYSTEM

Their driving force came from the desire to bridge the gaps in a broken system that abandoned too many of their brothers and sisters. To live up to their goals, these veterans came up with a two-fold support system.

The first involved the Veteran Outreach Center, a walk-in center for any veteran, no matter the problem they face, be it financial, medical, or problems with identification.

The Veteran Community Project Village represents the second point of support to these heroes. The project aims to get homeless veterans off the streets by providing a home for them, and all services rendered by this non-profit are free of charge.

Furthermore, the VCP has a long-term goal of expanding to other states within the country, hence eliminating veteran homelessness nationwide.

A BIGGER COMMUNITY

While the brains behind VCP have undoubtedly remained committed through the years, they would not have come this far without the help of a larger community of volunteers. VCP estimated that about 70% of the small village was developed by volunteers.

Additionally, these volunteers have helped sustain the system financially by donating adequate finances to run the community and provide the necessary services, all for free.

VETERANS APPRECIATE THE EFFORT

Veteran Community Project has touched many lives with its good works. Several veterans who have benefited from the project have utilized various platforms to commend the non-profit while encouraging them to double their efforts.

Veteran and politician Jason Kander stressed the need to establish a community like the VCP village in every community in the country.