There are more than 65,000 homeless veterans across the country, and that number is rising every year, according to the Military Wallet.
The reason why is because nearly one million veterans live in poverty.
The people who put their lives on the line to defend our country are in critical need of support, and one nonprofit organization in Florida is hoping to make a lasting change.
The Clara White Mission hopes to build 10 to 20 tiny homes across the street from their headquarters in Jacksonville's LaVilla neighborhood.
"Those men and women have protected us over the years," Clara White CEO Ju'Coby Pittman told Action News Jax. "We owe them that, to give them a safe haven."
The organization hopes that these vets can one day enjoy home ownership, and since tiny homes are an attractive concept, it will also help to give them a sense of community.
While Clara White Mission doesn't own all the land they hope to use for the project, there's a good chance the nonprofit will get approved.
Downtown Investment Authority Interim CEO Brian Hughes said, "Clara White Mission does important work for people in need, and we appreciate them for this work."
In the meantime, the Mission hopes to secure funding for the project from anyone who is willing to sponsor a tiny home.
Here's what the homes may look like:
The tiny homes will be less than 200 square feet and will be built with the help of Eco Relics and U.S. Green Building Council of Florida.
"We'll train them on these techniques, we'll teach them how to think green and design green," Sarah Boren of the U.S. Green Building Council said. "Veterans will help veterans build houses."
This tiny home can be built by a robot in less than a day for cheap and the company behind the design hopes they can help low-income communities.
ICON uses a 3D-printing robot to build the essential parts of a 650-square-foot tiny home.
It currently costs nearly $10,000 to build the home, but the company hopes they can cut down costs to as little as $4,000 per home for people who can't afford decent housing.
Here's what this adorable tiny home looks on the inside!
Living Room
Bedroom
Bathroom
Office
[H/T: Fox 30 Action News Jax]
