Home

[151949]

An organization in Kansas City is building 50, 240 sq ft, tiny homes in a development they are calling Veterans villiage for homeless vets. Now that is really showing support for our vets.

[Mominohio]

Hopefully this will happen, be done correctly and run properly (a lot of things like this end up being somewhat of a scam or the monies don't all go to vets), and provide some much needed help to those who have served. 

I hope that along with housing, they find ways to bring other services to the vets that will be living there, homelessness is usually not the first problem these vets are facing, but their homelessness is a result of other issues (PTSD, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, mental illness etc.). Having other services focused at them would seem essential.

[chrystaltree]

That's huge step in the right direction.  It's a wonderful thing to hear.  Start with housing and deal with the other needs the vets have later. 

[Mj12]

Sounds like a good idea.  They are very tiny though, like 1 room.  But obviously that is better than on the street.  From the article it appears that they'll each have a mentor to provide social support (which is a start) but counseling and job training is dependent on funds. 

-----------------------------------

The project will also match clients with mentors who provide social support as they transition to their new homes.

Reintegrating back into regular society can be challenging, according to the VCP, and the idea is to "get the veteran up and reintegrating them into society at their own pace while treating the issues that have created social or housing barriers."

The goal of the program is to cater to veterans' specific needs and to serve clients who don't qualify for other programs. Unlike other service programs, VCP serves "anyone who has ever taken an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America," according to the nonprofit's website.

VCP also has plans to build a community center that will provide counseling and job training, but the project is dependent upon whatever funds are available.

Construction on 10 of the homes began over the weekend. The project hopes to have veterans in homes starting in March.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/24/us/veterans-village-kansas-city-trnd/

[Kachina624]

I hope this project is a resounding success.  It could be however, a pre-fab instant slum.  There'll be problems, Im sure.  Many of these people would prefer to live on the streets and have their freedom.

[151949]

My cousin'd DH was a marine during Viet nam era - he says that a lot of soldiers come home and just want to be left alone and not have anyone ordering them around any more. They are just not ready to have a boss barking orders at them. He was fortunate to be a farmer so he just came home and started farming but for many they need some time. If these places impose too many rules then the soldiers won't be interested.I think it is this way after all wars - soldiers come home changed and need some time - some have families that understand  and  help them with this but some are on their own. I remember when I was doing my psych rotation during nursing school my MOm telling me how hard it was to return for some soldiers after WW11 - esp. my one uncle who had been a POW of the Japanese.

[Snicks1]

Too bad they won't be inhabited till March, winters in KC can and are, generally, brutal.