A 15 tiny home community that is for transitional and therapeutic housing for veterans who are experiencing homelessness recently broke ground in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Located on a five-acre plot donated by Peggy Grove, the Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania (VOPA) is building a village for veterans to come and get the support they need.
“Veteran housing is more about those veterans who are willing to sacrifice for our freedom and deserve this,” said Tom Zimmerman, co-founder and chairman of VOPA.
VOPA first unveiled the Tiny Homes project in the fall of 2021 with an initial fundraising goal of $4.1 million.
“There are a number of issues,” said Zimmerman. ”Some of the homeless veterans have PTSD issues, addiction issues, some reached roadblocks and just spiraled down from there… our end goal is for them to live a life of pride and dignity and get back into society, and then make a difference in someone else’s life.”
The On-site VOPA Community Center
is the heart of the tiny home village. The community center will offer a full continuum of care that enhances the housing support provided by the VOPA Village. The 6,000-square-foot center features a community room and dining hall, a commercial kitchen, individual treatment rooms, a meditation room, a workshop, showers, and offices for on-site support staff.
Zimmerman said they’re targeting the 20% of veterans who have not succeeded in the infrastructure that’s available now. The application process is being drafted, but organizers say veterans will enter into a contract with VOPA. A plan between the veteran and the nonprofit consists of an agreement.
A big question I have is “With all the modular and manufactured home factories located in Pennsylvania, why are they using tiny houses instead of small modular or park model homes?”
The projected date to complete the 15 tiny homes is this winter.
