KSHB’s 41 Action News reported it first from Kansas City, Missouri. An organization by the name of the Veterans Community Project has made substantial progress in their latest endeavor: building 30 “tiny homes” for 30 homeless veterans. They have completed the first 13 and hope to move in homeless vets soon, and have now even expanded their overall goal as support continues to flood in. As of now, they have the 13 homeless veterans picked out and are ready to move them in.
One of the three veterans who founded the project, Chris Stout said that, “We had a lot of people tell us we couldn’t do it. Not going to do it. Not happening in Kansas City. Well hate to tell you there’s 13 houses on the ground and another 37 more to come.”
What’s a tiny home? As the name implies, they are small houses — typically 300 square feet — built for those in need, or often just for those who feel like downsizing. Many have a certain kind of charm to them, and they can be customized in all sorts of ways. In the realm of inexpensive housing, a tiny home is hard to beat, making it a perfect option for charities looking to get homeless veterans off the street.
Psychology Today took a look at veteran homelessness, and many studies involved in discovering the root of it. They estimate that around 12% of all homelessness are made up of military veteransmilitary veteransmilitary veterans, quite the increase from the 7.3% of all Americans who are veterans in the first place. Psychology Today said that,
Overall results showed that 5.6 percent of all veterans referred for mental health services experienced homelessness within the following twelve months. Women showed a slightly higher risk than men (7.6% vs. 5.4%) and risk of homelessness also seemed strongly linked to age. Veterans aged 46-55 years were most likely to become homeless though veterans in other age groups were also represented.”
It seems that mental health is one of the major contributing factors, though the article admits that studies like this are difficult to back up. By definition, many homeless people want to stay off the grid, and away from those who are conducting these studies. Other factors can include substance abuse; the veteran’s exiting pay grade seems to have some level of correlation as well. Of course, every case is unique and these factors generally present themselves in unique ways, case by case.
There are multiple charities that have been popping up to combat veteran homelessness, some larger than others. In the St. Petersburg area in Florida for example, the Claybaker D.U.S.T.O.F.F. Foundation gives “survival packs” to homeless veterans in the area. These packs include essential items like “socks, hygiene kits, sunscreen, non-perishable snacks, powdered drink mix, instant coffee, bottled water, AA/AAA batteries, and other specialty items as available.” It may come as no surprise that it’s through local groups that local help will be found.
The Veterans Community Project is another example of veterans who strive to combat veteran homelessness, instead of the usual talk followed by inaction. Check out their website here, where you can take a virtual tour of one of their tiny homes, and you can see the different stages of construction to which you can specifically donate.
A tiny home in Portland | Wikimedia Commons
KSHB’s 41 Action News reported it first from Kansas City, Missouri. An organization by the name of the Veterans Community Project has made substantial progress in their latest endeavor: building 30 “tiny homes” for 30 homeless veterans. They have completed the first 13 and hope to move in homeless vets soon, and have now even expanded their overall goal as support continues to flood in. As of now, they have the 13 homeless veterans picked out and are ready to move them in.
One of the three veterans who founded the project, Chris Stout said that, “We had a lot of people tell us we couldn’t do it. Not going to do it. Not happening in Kansas City. Well hate to tell you there’s 13 houses on the ground and another 37 more to come.”
What’s a tiny home? As the name implies, they are small houses — typically 300 square feet — built for those in need, or often just for those who feel like downsizing. Many have a certain kind of charm to them, and they can be customized in all sorts of ways. In the realm of inexpensive housing, a tiny home is hard to beat, making it a perfect option for charities looking to get homeless veterans off the street.
Psychology Today took a look at veteran homelessness, and many studies involved in discovering the root of it. They estimate that around 12% of all homelessness are made up of military veteransmilitary veteransmilitary veterans, quite the increase from the 7.3% of all Americans who are veterans in the first place. Psychology Today said that,
Overall results showed that 5.6 percent of all veterans referred for mental health services experienced homelessness within the following twelve months. Women showed a slightly higher risk than men (7.6% vs. 5.4%) and risk of homelessness also seemed strongly linked to age. Veterans aged 46-55 years were most likely to become homeless though veterans in other age groups were also represented.”
It seems that mental health is one of the major contributing factors, though the article admits that studies like this are difficult to back up. By definition, many homeless people want to stay off the grid, and away from those who are conducting these studies. Other factors can include substance abuse; the veteran’s exiting pay grade seems to have some level of correlation as well. Of course, every case is unique and these factors generally present themselves in unique ways, case by case.
There are multiple charities that have been popping up to combat veteran homelessness, some larger than others. In the St. Petersburg area in Florida for example, the Claybaker D.U.S.T.O.F.F. Foundation gives “survival packs” to homeless veterans in the area. These packs include essential items like “socks, hygiene kits, sunscreen, non-perishable snacks, powdered drink mix, instant coffee, bottled water, AA/AAA batteries, and other specialty items as available.” It may come as no surprise that it’s through local groups that local help will be found.
The Veterans Community Project is another example of veterans who strive to combat veteran homelessness, instead of the usual talk followed by inaction. Check out their website here, where you can take a virtual tour of one of their tiny homes, and you can see the different stages of construction to which you can specifically donate.
Featured image courtesy of YouTube via the Kansas City Star Video channel.
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.