There are nearly 50,000 homeless veterans every night, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Nonprofit Operation Tiny Home (OTH) decided to help veterans find a solution through tiny homes. Now they’re teaming up with Tiny House Nation’s Zack Giffin to offer a three-day workshop in Wisconsin to build homes for the James A. Peterson Veterans Village.
The Wisconsin workshop will teach veterans how to construct their own tiny homes, in addition to giving them valuable job skills. The workshop is aimed at all skill levels. Not only will attendees be taught carpentry skills necessary to build their own homes for the James A. Peterson Veterans Village, they’ll learn about design concepts and how to read blueprints. Milwaukee Tools, USA will supply the tools for the workshop. Through the veterans village, Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin aims to give veterans the chance to have stable housing and become “productive members of society” again.
Related: How Tiny House Villages Could Solve America’s Homeless Epidemic
Zack Giffin said in a press release, “Veterans need quality, yet affordable homes, that provide dignity with their living situation, security, and an opportunity to be supported by their country…It’s about recognizing that financial stress and housing insecurity play a huge part in the mental well-being of many of our nation’s veterans.”
OTH said tiny homes can offer “a high level of independence and dignity” for veterans who have struggled with finding housing in the past. This will will take place July 22-24, but Giffin and OTH hope to “jumpstart” more workshop programs around the United States. Other collaborative workshops are in the works for Washington, Tennessee, California, Texas, and Indiana. OTH Executive Director Gabrielle Rapport said, “These workshops are powerful and provide veterans with a sense of purpose and connection to their community.”
+ Operation Tiny Home
+ Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin
Images via Zack Giffin Facebook and Operation Tiny Home Facebook