Homeless veterans often struggle even more than others because of the support structure they suddenly lack. This community-oriented plan could fix that. America has nearly 38,000 veterans experiencing homelessness. Many of them suffer from post-traumatic stress that makes it hard for them to adjust in traditional homeless shelters. Often, they prefer living “in the woods or on the street with other veterans, because [they] feel safer than trying to go to sleep around people” they don’t know, says former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, who works with the Veterans Community Project to house former soldiers. Tiny homes are already showing promise as a way toward community building with homeless veterans and helping them get back on their feet. They’ve helped 78 communities “effectively end veteran homelessness,” says Susan Carter, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Overall, veteran homelessness has fallen by more than 7 percent in the last two years. |