Veterans Village

A Place to Heal, Rebuild, and Own

Our mission is to provide transitional and permanent housing for veterans in Henry County, Georgia, offering supportive services, counseling, job placement, and a unique opportunity to own a tiny home after completing an 18-month rehabilitation program.

The Problem and the Promise

The Challenge of Veteran Homelessness in Henry County, Georgia

Henry County, Georgia, is home to approximately 17,983 veterans, accounting for about 7% of its population . Despite this significant presence, many veterans in the county face challenges that increase their risk of homelessness.

Key Contributing Factors:

Affordable Housing Shortage: The median property value in Henry County is $277,400, with a median gross rent of $1,538 . These costs can be prohibitive for veterans on fixed incomes or those facing employment challenges.
Economic Vulnerability: Approximately 10.3% of Henry County residents live below the poverty line. Veterans, especially those with service-connected disabilities or limited job prospects, may be disproportionately affected.
Health and Disability Issues: A significant portion of Georgia's veterans live with disabilities, which can impede their ability to maintain stable housing and employment.
Limited Local Support Services: While organizations like the Henry County Veterans Support Group provide essential services, there remains a need for more comprehensive, localized support systems to address the multifaceted challenges veterans face.

Conclusion:

Addressing veteran homelessness in Henry County requires a multifaceted approach, including the development of affordable housing options, expansion of support services, and targeted programs to assist veterans in overcoming economic and health-related challenges.

Phase 1: Foundation Year (Months 1–12)

Objective: Secure Land, Finalize Design, Obtain Permits, and Fundraise

1. Land Acquisition (Months 1–3)

Close on 5–10-acre land parcel for $850,000.
Confirm zoning compatibility for tiny home community.
Conduct environmental review and soil testing.

2. Design and Engineering (Months 3–6)

Hire architect and civil engineer for master plan layout (estimate $25,000).
Prepare detailed blueprints: roads, homes, utilities, green spaces, and parking.
Submit building and site plans for city/county approval.

3. Infrastructure Permits and Compliance (Months 6–9)

Secure permits: grading, utilities installation, stormwater management.

4. Staffing Preparation (Months 6–12)

Begin recruiting key personnel for Year 2 operations:
- Project Manager/Director
- Case Manager (Veteran Services)
- Maintenance/Security Lead

5. Fundraising Expansion (Months 4–12)

Execute professional capital campaign:
- Target corporations (Home Depot Foundation, Wells Fargo, Boeing, Raytheon).
- Apply for government grants (VA programs, HUD-VASH support).
- Private donor engagement.
Develop Veterans Village donor microsite.

Estimated Budget Used in Year 1:

Land: $850,000
Design/Engineering: $25,000
Legal/Permit/Consultation Fees: $25,000
Staffing Setup and early admin ($50,000 prep for salaries pool)

Phase 2: Buildout Year (Months 13–24)

Objective: Install Infrastructure and Construct First 20 Tiny Homes

1. Site Development (Months 13–18)

Land clearing, grading, road construction ($100,000).
Install water, sewer/septic, electricity, internet, storm drainage ($150,000).

2. First 20 Tiny Homes Construction (Months 18–24)

Build and place 20 tiny homes ($1,000,000).
Install initial landscaping (trees, green spaces, walkways).

3. Staffing Activation (Starting Month 18)

Officially hire:
- Director/Project Manager ($50K)
- Case Manager ($50K)
- Facilities/Security Manager ($50K)
Salaries come from pre-reserved $150,000.

Estimated Budget Used in Year 2:

Infrastructure: $250,000
Tiny Homes (20 units): $1,000,000
Salaries Funded from Set Aside

Phase 3: Full Expansion and Community Launch (Months 25–36)

Objective: Complete Remaining 20 Homes, Open Full Services

1. Build Remaining 20 Tiny Homes (Months 25–30)

Continue seamless development to avoid downtime.
Additional 20 units: $1,000,000.

2. Amenities and Community Space (Optional - Months 28–32)

Construct simple community center (1,200 sq ft) for veteran meetings, therapy, job training. ($75,000 from buffer or future grant).

3. Full Program Launch (Months 30–36)

Intake full capacity of veterans (phased move-in).
Launch:
- Career services
- Mental health support
- Community service programs
Host grand opening event for donors, local leaders, and press.

Estimated Budget Used in Year 3:

Tiny Homes (remaining 20): $1,000,000
(Community Center optional, paid via fundraising or contingency)

FOUNDERS TESTIMONY

"As an army veteran I can empathize with many of the difficulties veterans experience when attempting to reintegrate into civilian life. My reentry process began in 1988. Oblivious to the many supportive services available to veterans, e.g., the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the DAV, The GI Bill, and more, I floundered for years due to a lack of knowledge. Recently, a veteran in our family shared a photo holding a sign about homelessness on social media. We aim to establish a comprehensive resource center for homeless veterans and service members transitioning out of the military, providing a support group to help them reintegrate into civilian life. ~ Pastor J

We are convinced if we can connect with veterans upon their exiting the military we can make a positive impact on eliminating veteran homelessness and address the mental health crisis that is prevalent in our society amongst our veterans.