This is the story of a tiny house village for KC homeless veterans.
The plan includes 52 240-square-foot tiny homes.
Please enjoy, learn more, and re-share below. Thank you!
Tiny House Village for KC Homeless Vets
© VeteransCommunityProject.org
© VeteransCommunityProject.org
Video Interview
Highlights
- 240-square-foot homes
- Community center
- Big community kitchen
- Laundry facilities
- Yoga studios
- Classes, meetings, groups
- Gardens
- Each tiny house costs about $10,000 each to build and equip
- Built on a four-acre vacant site near 89th and Troost
- To be called Veterans Village
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Alex
Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
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Very good idea, I wish we could do the same for our homeless veterans. That’s a pity!
What’s to stop anyone going out and doing something similar in their area? I say well done to anyone willing to put their time into such a worthwhile cause. Claude, if no one in your area is doing anything like this, have you thought of contacting a group around you that helps the homeless in other ways and talking about it? Never know, this time next year you could be in an article like this
Now this is truly commendable! Way to go KC!
Now that is so cool !!!
My husband and I are both Veterans. We are looking for unrestricted land in Texas to build tiny home’s for homeless vets and displaced families God willing. I am so pleased that other’s have the desire and heart to reach out, to give a hand up to our Vets. ☺
Where in Texas? I have ten acres with the same plan in the Texas hill contry area near Kerreville. Lets team up…
I’d be interested in this project too! I live up near Dallas. I don’t own any land but maybe could contribute in other ways.
I have done so much invested so much but nearly have the infrastructure done. Last is the septic tank. I have equipment and tools for building the cabins. Manpower and materials would really help. I have simple plans to convert the first cabins out of 2 40 ft containers. These will be a bunk house and a central wet cabin. My land in Harper is unrestricted but started as a horse pasture. Has been a work in progress but there is a peace and tranquility there that just doesn’t exist in the big city. I have the well done and electricity in as well as all the material to do a shop, pole barn and well house. I want to do a garden as well as install the solar panels also.
Very moving. So wonderful this is being done and yes we need a lot more of it. After all these men have served our country. Also the community would be a very like-minded place, as everyone there has gone through the same thing. This becomes a more permanent solution to a problem and at a small footprint. Larger outlay in costs, but over-all less costly.
It sounds great idea unfortunately communities like these will have rules which the vet will have to follow. Unfortunately after a week or two and they leave. This happens a lot in the homeless shelters. Don’t get me wrong, I think this is a great idea.
cve instead of making negative comments. until you’ve walked in their shoes…..mon now give them the benefit of doubt. be more positi
Marta, is it the veterans who walk out of the shelters, or homeless people in general? If these veterans need to go back to a more regimented life, perhaps rules are the best thing for them. It’s also good to see that there will be “classes, meetings, and groups” so the vets aren’t left alone.
Marta… I’m wondering where you’ve acquired this information. And what facts you have to support that statement?
I happen to work for the VA and we’re constantly seeking facilities for our Veterans. The unfortunate thing is, it’s difficult to do with the growing number of men and women who need this service.
So please, before you share more of your wisdom, and do more harm to our Vets… get your facts straight!
.
We are also interested in helping veterans. We live in Northern NY, (Near Potsdam NY) and are planning on starting small due to limited funds, although we have lots of land… one tiny home at a time, first one going up this summer but don’t know how to find a veteran who wants to live up north n the cold… Two weeks ago it was -25 here. Today it is 50. Weird weather!
Wow Cedar, that’s so great! If you’d like, we can always help advertise for you — maybe put up a Facebook post.
Wonderful concept.
This is how it should be! cheap housing for people who actually deserve it! And each one costs 10k! Thats what’s up! Tiny houses shouldn’t be 70 thousand dollars!
Since so many were offended, I thought I would jump on board. Your comment Brandon Davidson offended me. “Cheap housing for people who actually deserve it”? As if there are people who DON’T actually deserve it? — Not in my book. And although I think we treat our veterans like crap, AND that they should be at the top of the affordable/free housing list, I think EVERY human being – actually – deserves to have a home.
Secondly, don’t tell me how much to spend on my tiny house. No one is interested in your “shoulds” or “shouldn’ts. If I want a 30 foot THOW with granite countertops, full sized appliances and a jacuzzi soaking tub in the bathroom, that’s what I will have, and that’s what it will cost. And it doesn’t make it any less a “tiny house” because of my personal customizations. Everyone’s reason for ‘tiny’ is different, but I think that the essence of ‘tiny’ is freedom. And specifically, freedom of choice. So for you (or anyone, and I see it a lot) to box it up into a certain price, or a certain size, is missing the REAL point. — To each, his own.
No one says you can’t have your THOW your way, Kathleen, but when the THMovement got started, Jay Shaeffer said he built his THOW for seven thousand dollars. For a lot of people, myself included, this meant a roof over the head (in old age) versus living out of a car or in the streets in an underpass.
But very soon thereafter, builders who were interested in taking advantage of this new market moved in and next thing we knew we went from a spot of hope to dashed dreams as the prices went soaring up to, and sometimes over, one hundred thousand dollars.
I myself have commented that the average price most THOW people are looking for is around 35K. This gives builders and sellers an idea where the middle ground is. There will be those who can only afford ten thousand, and then there will be those who can go all out and build a custom THOW. But if we don’t want the whole thing to get out beyond the paying ability of the most of us, then we need to say something about it.
I don’t blame anyone for complaining about soaring prices. Here’s an example: I needed to replace a pane of broken glass in an outside door. The glass repair people quoted me a price of $300.00. (LOL! You KNOW that wasn’t happening.) I had just made up my mind that I would put a piece of plastic over it and live with it the way it was when a neighbor questioned what I was doing. I told her and she said she’d fix it (she’s a neighborhood professional handyperson). She did, and it cost me fifteen bucks for the glass and thirty-five for labor.
Now, the lesson here is, if builders gouge they aren’t going to get the volume/ traffic they might like. But if the price is reasonable, then they will get the business. Better to have a steady cash flow then boom-and-bust cycles.
I’m happy for you that you can afford what you want. But the rest of us just aren’t that lucky and builders and sellers need to be in touch with that reality.
First of all, I am not sure who you are referencing when you say “so many were offended”
Second,
I may have worded that rather poorly. By “Actually deserve it” I meant more along the lines of “After what they’ve done for our country, they deserve to be given affordable housing.”
I’ll quote you for this next one:
“Secondly, don’t tell me how much to spend on my tiny house. No one is interested in your “shoulds” or “shouldn’ts.”
You are putting words in my mouth and then getting offended over what I did not say or even remotely imply.
You have money for a decked out THOW? Cool. Good for you.
By Seventy thousand dollars, I was making a semi-exaggerated reference to private Tiny-Home design companies, ie. Nomad Tiny Homes who sell their micro-sized units for upwards of thirty thousand dollars. I was saying that the tiny house industry charges too much for a house that could be built personally for much, much less. That is all. I was not saying anything that should have even remotely offended you.
Beautiful. Stepping up to the plate and helping our own. Yes, there has to be rules…any group or organiztion must have them in order to survive. We all are grateful for our vets but they too will be thankful for this tremendous opportunity to get a new start.
Homeless and Veteran should not be in the same sentence.
Well said, Anthonie.
What a wonderful idea you are doing for the homeless vets. Loved the video tour of one of the homes. Could you tell me the measurements of one of these homes? I am wanting to build one one my property and loved the floor plan . Thank you very much.
Vicki, you have to go to the website links in the article and then email the people in Kansas City if you want more information. The tinyhousetalk blog does not have more info than what is posted here.
What many people may not understand is that homelessness is often only a symptom of deeper psychological issues. Unless and until all of the issues are addressed an endless cycle will continue. Rejoining society after the military can be very difficult. The transition from a very regimented routine into one with virtual freewill, even what clothes to wear, can be overwhelming. The problem is compounded when many Veterans are surrounded by family and friends that he or she feels they no longer have anything in common with.
With organizations such KC Veterans Community Project and the interest and goals of this website community of small homes, I am confident that we are on the right path to healing ourselves and our Earth.
Great concept…..KC is to be commended. Bob, I agree with you that sadly many vets have issues that go deeper than homelessness. Being homeless is the result of a variety of problems, and I sincerely hope that classes and counseling, and camradery with their brothers and sisters will help to beat back the sad and scary stuff so many are carrying around every day.
Excellence idea. I wonder what restrictions will be placed on occupants. Will they sign a lease? I just hope it works & sends a message that this can help alot of people other then just Vets.
Love the idea. I just don’t understand how our gov’t is not taking care of our vets. When they serve they should and could have all the medical and housing they need to recover no matter what it takes. Coming from a military background I know that there are bases that are not being used and that they could use to help with housing and retraining so they can have a normal life. Shame on us for not taking care of our Vets !
This is a wonderful solution that hopefully will spread. Not just the shelter but the other services and opportunities. I especially like the idea of the “socializing at their own pace.” Everyone’s needs are different and solutions need to offer many options to accommodate that.
I would give the person who did this a 40 gun salute for thinking up this fantastic project to help our retired veterans. I hope your idea inspires everyone to do the same. Kudos!
Excellent! Sure would like to see this happen all over the US.
this is a start now the village should have all the schools and other services , then we shall call this the future
Bob I agree 100percent with your comment. I wish that politicians realize this situation and stop talking a start doing…
They are doing. Go to YT and watch any video labelled “Martial Law” and you will understand what is going on and why there is no commitment to our returning and returned vets.
Now that’s what I’m talking about, Tiny Houses for those who need them….! And no one deserves it more than all our children that went off to war and come home looking for a place for themselves… God bless the folks that look out for our veterans….!
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!! Way to go. There is no reason any of our servicemen/servicewomen should be homeless, and it is SO refreshing to see someone actually DOING something about the problem. GREAT JOB!!! Slightly off topic, but my heartfelt thanks to all vets out there. YOU are the reason we enjoy the freedoms we do. THANK YOU.
First, a point, then a counterpoint:
Each of us has value. The more skills, the more value to the community.
What skills does an individual possess BEFORE deciding to ‘break stuff and kill people’? And often, people they never met nor stuff they have any grievance with?
Then, AFTER they finish ‘breaking stuff and killing people’, what skills do they bring back to the community? In other words, what value does the community receive for diverting scarce and hard-earned cash into that kill/break school instead of manufacturing or farms or railroads and seaports? Or into life-usable education… or diplomacy?
And, the counterpoint:
With their weapons and skills, this section of the KC community probably has zero problems with rioters or other riff-raff.
One comment above mentioned an ‘endless cycle’. Yes, that seems evident.
Marge,
Look at the Twin Towers, or should I say, Where they used to be, and tell me how that diplomacy thing has worked out. What Veterans bring to the table is a level of protection and freedom that no other nation in the history of man has known. Your comment is quite offensive.
Bob Ridings,
Somebody else made that comment about the endless cycle. LargeMarge (and probably a lot of other people) seem on the side of ending it.
You and I (and probably a lot of other people) agree…
war is offensive.
I made the comment of the endless cycle. I am referring to and offended by Marge comment of insinuating that Veterans bring nothing to the table but death and destruction.
Hmmm…so veterans get into trouble because they have a hard live after the crap they have gone through. I’m a Dutch Vet myself.
And what do you do; you put them in a tiny house with the flag all over the place.
Do not get it; sorry.
Marc
these are great ! what i would give for a clean dry place, with a toilet, my own little kitchen, and a door that locks ! would it be too far out to allow veterans who are capable to volunteer in certain occupations to help out the military? at the va hosp, or cleaning up and helping to restore previously unused facilities for other vets who need assistance? who knows how to help our military in a hundred ways than released vets? thanks for this posting. kansas city has a vision of an idea :-