New tiny home community set for homeless veterans in Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- A new tiny cottage village for veterans is set to break ground in Fayetteville, bringing the dream of permanent housing for homeless veterans one step closer to reality.
The project, called Inasmuch Village, has been three years in the making and is the vision of the Christian nonprofit organization Inasmuch, located at Hillsboro and Chance streets. The goal is simple: provide veterans with a place they can truly call home.
"Our veterans have put their lives on the line for us, for everyone. And we need to make sure that they're taken care of," said Craig Morrison, executive director of Inasmuch.
Morrison explained that the organization has looked to other models around the country for inspiration.
It's a necessity in this community. We have got to get our veterans off the streets.- Stacey Buckner, Veterans Services of the Carolinas
"We have been looking at other places around the country and trying to see what works. One of those places is the Eaton Village in Wilmington. And we saw what they were doing, and we said, this is doable. We can make this happen."
Inasmuch has long provided a path to recovery, restoration, and long-term stability for people in Cumberland County. And with the new village, they are extending that mission to homeless veterans.
"We know that several of our veterans are disabled as well. And so some may have mobility issues, and we wanted to make that available. All of the houses will have an open floor mat," Morrison said.
Backed by $2 million from local philanthropists Ralph and Linda Huff of Huff Family Office, the project will feature 16 fully furnished one-bedroom cottages, including four that are ADA-compliant.
Stacey Buckner with Veterans Services of the Carolinas, a partner in the initiative, said the new homes will have a significant effect.
"We serve anywhere between 100 and 150 veterans experiencing homelessness a week. And we're in all 100 counties. So that makes a big difference. But here in Fayetteville, this is really, really going to help our veterans get placed where they need to be."
For Morrison, the project is personal; his grandfather is a veteran.
Construction on Inasmuch Village is set to begin Aug. 19, with the first veterans expected to move into their new homes in 2027.
"It's a necessity in this community. We have got to get our veterans off the streets," Buckner said.
