Veterans shelter homeless fellow veterans
An estimated 39,471 U.S. military veterans nationwide are homeless, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Due in part to rising housing prices, more than a third of them are unsheltered. Here in the metro, a young nonprofit is providing veterans transitional housing and personalized reintegration services in an enterprise that could prove a national model. It was founded by veterans to help fellow veterans who are homeless transition back into society and become self-sufficient.
With backing from the city and the public’s help, the Veterans Community Project last month moved 13 veterans into their own brand new residences. They’re the first of what will be 49 tiny homes comprising Veterans Village. The 4.2-acre development at 1201 E. 89th St. in Kansas City, Mo., will eventually add a 5,000-square-foot community center for residents to get social services. Directly across the street at 8900 Troost Ave., is a Veterans Outreach Center providing veterans a variety of services and serving as VCP headquarters.
Veterans Village offers residents a private refuge, stability, security and nearby kinship. Each 240-square-foot home is completely furnished with a bed, bathroom and kitchen. Veterans Village takes care of the rent and utilities.
When the residents transition out of Veterans Village into permanent housing, they can take the furnishings in their tiny home, including dishes and linen. It gives them a head start setting up housekeeping. The length of stay is customized to each veteran’s needs.
Besides transitional housing, Veterans Village offers counseling; employment and legal services; referrals to other services and programs; and bus passes – the village is on a KCATA route and has two bus stops.
Veterans Village is unique. It serves veterans who don’t qualify for other programs. As stated on the Website (www.veteranscommunityproject.org), VCP serves “anyone who has ever taken an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America.” There’s no discharge or length of service requirement. VCP serves both female and male ex-military, including members of the National Guard, Reserves and active-duty for training.
Residents have their own space, which they’re welcome to share with a pet. VCP believes “pets play an important role in recovery and therapy.” Everything the veterans needs to transition out of homelessness will eventually be available on-site. That includes access to computers and resume and home repair workshops and learning how to budget, cook and eat a healthy diet.
The community, through volunteers, grants, donations and partnerships, is building Veterans Village. VCP is a nonprofit that relies entirely on public support. See all the ways people can get involved on the Website.
“We don’t take government money,” says VCP’s Matt Burasco.
Each of the tiny homes costs about $10,000 and providing maintenance, utilities, food and social services costs about $15,000 a year. VCP plans to have the remaining 36 tiny homes constructed and ready for occupancy by year’s end.
“All types of donations and volunteers are welcome,” Burasco says. “That’s how we survive.”
To refer a homeless veteran to VCP, call 816-599-6503, email info@vcp-kc.org or visit the headquarters weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
VCP, incorporated as a nonprofit in 2015, has received support from both individuals and organizations, including local financial institutions and trade unions.
“We’re able to continue to help these vets because of people who care,” Burasco says.
