Milwaukee City Wire

Homeless veterans in Milwaukee could soon be homeowners as a Racine-based nonprofit is proposing a development to help them.

According to TMJ4, Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin is planning to bring tiny homes for military veterans to Milwaukee, which is home to roughly 39,000 veterans.  

Navy veteran Glen Miller, 58, told the news station that Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin has made a tremendous difference in his life.

"It was a big struggle, in and out of jobs because of drinking and drugs and losing friends,” Miller, who was also connected to a manufacturing job by the organization, said. “I got a nice bank account going. I’m looking to buy a house in spring or summertime.”

According to the organization’s website, the nonprofit was established in 2013 and had already developed a community of 15 tiny homes (the core of the program’s foundation) in 2017.

The Milwaukee project will consist of 42 tiny homes, a 10,000-square-foot community center and a complimentary food market for the veterans, according to the organization.

The development will be located at 6767 N. 60th St. in the northern portion of the city and will mimic the programming services offered at its Racine location.

“Working with collaborative partners will increase capacity across our service network to care for our local heroes and their families,” the organization states on its website. “Our holistic approach to recovery is a blueprint for how communities can come together and support our heroes in need.”

Additionally, members of the veteran community are afforded services for free such as fellow support groups, wellness activities and financial literacy, according to the organization.

The organization’s Facebook page states that their “mission is to assist homeless and at-risk Veterans strive for normalcy in life by providing food, clothing, shelter and other basic human needs.”