Work begins on village of tiny homes for homeless veterans

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Lumber carrying messages of thanks from donors is being used to build a village of tiny homes for homeless veterans in Kansas City.

The Veterans Community Project, a not-for-profit group formed by local veterans just nine months ago, hopes to have its first order of 10 tiny houses standing next month, The Kansas City Star reported.

Lumber for the homes arrived over the weekend. It was provided by another not-for-profit, 2x4s For Hope, which delivered the goods out of Quincy, Illinois.

"We do this on weekends, holidays, evenings, whenever we can," said Chris Lawrence, who said she and her husband have full-time jobs. "We're just trying to help make a difference. Little by little, one board at a time."

In 2010, the couple was part of a team of Quincy residents who donated boards signed with greetings to earthquake-struck Haiti.

Forming the not-for-profit 17 months ago, they hosted events in which people can sponsor a board, put their names to it and write well-wishes for survivors of disasters.

In recent months, the Lawrences have joined a nationwide movement to create tiny-house communities for needy veterans.

The shells of the 10 homes to go up will be built off-site in the mid-Missouri town of Linn, said Veterans Community Project co-founder Kevin Jamison. The unfinished homes then will be put on wheels and hauled to Kansas City. The interiors will be finished in the planned village, where one model home is displayed.

"We're going to see how we can work into the interior design a way the veterans can see some of these messages" on the studs, said Jamison, a Marine veteran. "Like maybe in a closet? That would be cool."