KANSAS CITY, Mo. — According to the Veterans Community Project, roughly 200 veterans are looking for a place to sleep for the night in the metro area.
That's why the organization is working to decrease that number through its tiny homes project.
A community near East 89th Street and Troost Avenue is filled with tiny homes and American flags to accommodate these veterans.
Veterans who were once living on the street, now have a place to call home.
For veteran Eric Bishop, it was a lifeline to help him get back on his feet.
"It gives me a chance to just catch my breath," he said.
Two phases of the tiny homes are complete and a total of 26 homes have been built.
Now, VCP is in its third phase, finishing up a community center and getting 23 more homes ready for occupancy.
"It takes a lot to make a lot of change in the homeless service world," VCP Director of Clinical Services, Josh Henges said. "This has been a lightning bolt, lightning quick because the city said we really want to see an end to veteran homelessness."
For nearly a year, Bishop has called the community home and an opportunity to start over.
"It takes the environmental issue out when you don't have to worry about where are you going to live," Bishop said. "Are you going to sleep in a car, you know? Things happen for different and this is the only life line I've ever taken."
"The biggest thing in the transformation of veterans is they have hope again," Henges said. "That is what we live for. That is the currency we want."
For veterans like Bishop, it's not only finding a place to live, but a community to come home to.
"The veterans...they really are like a family," Bishop said.
Bishop says he's there for a reason, but only for a season. These temporary homes provide a stepping stone to help veterans find permanent housing in the future.
If you'd like to hear more about the Veterans Community Project, click here.
