Glendale looks to address veteran homelessness with tiny home community

GLENDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — While homelessness among military veterans is hitting a record low nationwide, it’s still a problem in many areas, including Arizona.

The latest tally in Maricopa County shows that about five percent of the homeless population in the Valley are veterans. To help, the city of Glendale is working with a nonprofit to build tiny homes and help get them off the streets.

“We’ve seen more recently an aging veteran population,” said Richard Southee, who works with veterans at Central Arizona Shelter Services. “Having to figure out everything on your own, especially if you’ve been in for a long time, is daunting and scary.”

Of the more than 9,400 homeless people in Maricopa County, 440 reported they are veterans. When exploring ways to address the issue, Glendale city leaders turned to the Veteran’s Community Project (VCP).

“Anybody who’s ever taken the oath to serve our country qualifies for all our programs and services,” said the organization’s CEO, Bryan Meyer.

The plan is to build a transitional housing community near 63rd and Grand Avenues.

“The community here will be 50 units. Forty of them will be individual units, eight will be family units and then two will be ADA accessible,” Meyer explained, saying the land will provide more than just a place to live.

“We keep one case manager on site for every 8-10 residents. That allows the case manager to truly understand and work it at a deeper level with these individuals,” he said. “Because it’s an individualized unit, it also allows for pets, which is a huge gap.”

The project is estimated to cost about $14 million, and Glendale is contributing the land for just $10, despite its value of $4 million. Meyer said VCP will now work to raise the rest of the money through private donations.

“Right now, we see the majority of the people going through the program kind of falling into the 14 to16- month range,” he said.

Meyer says if someone is dealing with extreme substance abuse or mental health issues, the organization will work to help find them resources before entering the program.

While construction is expected to begin this summer, the plan is to fill units as they go. The project is expected to be finished by the Fall of 2027.

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