Tiny Homes for Homeless Vets

[Mark in Ottawa]

An organization in Calgary Alberta has built and is now opening a small village consisting of a dozen self contained homes of about 275 square feet as a transitional residence for Canadian Military veterans who have been homeless. As the attached article explains, each home contains a full washroom, a full kitchen, some storage and a small living room in which the couch converts into a bed.

Unfortunately the article does not state how much they cost to build or whether the residents will have to pay rent and utilities.

They say that the intent is to build these all over the county. A great initiative but I suspect that there will be adjustment problems

See https://globalnews.ca/news/6093176/c...XuOREsWFIz9Cqc

[lyman]

tiny homes sell in the $30 to $40,000 range here in Va,

no idea what building cost, permits etc are

[Allen]

tiny homes sell in the $30 to $40,000 range here in Va,

no idea what building cost, permits etc are

I see them selling for even more down here. I don't get it. I realize they are made better than a house trailer but still don't see the $40K+ in building one.

If cost is an issue why not use a modified shipping container? The basic used 40' containers go for about $4k and are built to last. Some countries like Japan have used these and a few developers in America have experimented with them building apartment complexes and strip malls. They would also make a good storm shelter. Pushing up dirt berms on the sides would make these impossible to flip over.

They may not be as pretty but for the money more people could be safely housed.

We used these at the refinery to store stuff. I see them being used more and more for residential uses now.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrE196zhrhd7X0AxwlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE0bWZmNWI0BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjY4MzNfMQRzZWMDcGl2cw--?p=living+in+shipping+containers&fr2=piv-web&fr=yfp-t-s

https://mobile.craigslist.org/fod/d/creola-shipping-containers-delivery/7008523197.html

[Vern Humphrey]

The problem is, what do the Vets DO when they move in? Are there jobs in the area? Or are they just being warehoused?

[Allen]

The problem is, what do the Vets DO when they move in? Are there jobs in the area? Or are they just being warehoused?

I don't know but if we can give welfare to millions of people who never did anything and to millions of illegals then I don't see us ever doing enough for those who served. Most deserve much more than tiny homes but it's a start.

As far as work goes most employers that I've come across give preference to vets.

[Vern Humphrey]

I don't know but if we can give welfare to millions of people who never did anything and to millions of illegals then I don't see us ever doing enough for those who served. Most deserve much more than tiny homes but it's a start.

As far as work goes most employers that I've come across give preference to vets.

My point is, too often we provide housing without regard to the job market. When you have free or low-cost housing and a little welfare, but with no access to jobs, that's called "the Poverty Trap."

[blackhawknj]

Poverty Trap ? For many, that so called safety net is a hammock.

[Allen]

Poverty Trap ? For many, that so called safety net is a hammock.

True, but if they're homeless anyway....

They can always move out if or when conditions improve for them. It's got to be better than sleeping under a bridge or in a tent.

[Vern Humphrey]

True, but if they're homeless anyway....

They can always move out if or when conditions improve for them. It's got to be better than sleeping under a bridge or in a tent.

The problem is, how can conditions improve? Are they living in an area with job opportunities, or with educational access? All too often the jobs are elsewhere and there is no institution accessible to them where they can pursue an education.

[Allen]

The problem is, how can conditions improve? Are they living in an area with job opportunities, or with educational access? All too often the jobs are elsewhere and there is no institution accessible to them where they can pursue an education.

I suppose that's something the home builders need to consider.

[Vern Humphrey]

I suppose that's something the home builders need to consider.

Absolutely it is. Our problem in the states is there is no one in charge of reducing poverty, and we have no coherent strategy. We need to house people where there are jobs, and provide job training and hiring assistance. If we don't do that, we'll always have huge numbers of people in poverty.

[blackhawknj]

I am puzzled by all these "homeless vets" stories, people who came out traumatized, unable to adapt and fit in to civilian life. I was in the Army 1967-1971, released from active duty in June, 1971, my mother drove me home from Fort Dix, slept in my own bedroom again, relaxed that summer, found a job in September, a year later started college, etc. I encountered no hostility, etc. The "crazed Vietnam veteran" stories started a few years later, it was found most of them were rear echelon types, drugs users, thought an OTH was an "early out". By 1975 the military had a waiting list.
We will continue to have huge numbers of people in "poverty' when "poverty" means $40-60,000 in benefits plus free health care, etc. And watch that that video
"Swipe Yo' EBT !" to learn how to qualify.
My church has an Angel Tree with gift requests from the local "social service" agencies. The gift requests often specify the stores-they're always the more upscale ones. One woman got a card requesting a Peppa Pig playset-she found it costs $90.00 !! As one woman said "These kids have expensive tastes !" This year we're putting a $25 limit on toy requests.

[Vern Humphrey]

I am puzzled by all these "homeless vets" stories, people who came out traumatized, unable to adapt and fit in to civilian life. I was in the Army 1967-1971, released from active duty in June, 1971, my mother drove me home from Fort Dix, slept in my own bedroom again, relaxed that summer, found a job in September, a year later started college, etc. I encountered no hostility, etc. The "crazed Vietnam veteran" stories started a few years later, it was found most of them were rear echelon types, drugs users, thought an OTH was an "early out". By 1975 the military had a waiting list.

PTSD is real -- although there are a lot of people who claim it for the benefits.

We have records of veterans going back to the Civil War and you can find plenty of PTSD among those veterans. You can find PTSD among the pioneers who crossed the plains. A tragic example is 8-year old Nancy Graves, a member of the Donner Party. Her mother died and the survivors, including Nancy, ate her body.

[barretcreek]

Need to find a link.

One of the problems with the homeless (not restricted to veterans) is sorting out those who want to escape from those who want to remain homeless.

One approach would be to set up a 'Habitat for Humanity' type operation. Join in and help build your tiny house and then help the next guy etc. As opposed to a handout.

[lyman]

Need to find a link.

One of the problems with the homeless (not restricted to veterans) is sorting out those who want to escape from those who want to remain homeless.

One approach would be to set up a 'Habitat for Humanity' type operation. Join in and help build your tiny house and then help the next guy etc. As opposed to a handout.

true,

when I was in the grocery business, I had a few homeless wander around here and there at one store I ran,

one guy was happy living out of his backpack, he may have had some friends somewhere he stayed with sometimes, he was relatively clean,

he would bum enough on the street corner to get a 12pk and dinner, and then head off,


another walked a circuit each day, never begged, supposedly stayed in a gas station bathroom at night, wandered throughout the day,

he stank, no where to bath or wash correctly, but was never an issue
always had money
supposedly from a well to do family, had a trust fund set up, but he decided (possible mental illness) to just be homeless,