Citing the other successful tiny home communities in the nation, veterans of the US military hope to create a tiny home community specifically for homeless veterans.
According to the Las Cruces Bulletin, Army veterans Lawrence Orvis and Ernest Ramey as well as Air Force veteran Shannon Reynolds presented a proposal to the Las Cruces City Council to offer homeless veterans a chance to live in a low-cost Ecovillage. They are asking for assistance from the city, local churches and non-profits, and even corporate companies for sponsorship. Their hope is that the project will help at least some of the veterans that attend the neighboring New Mexico State University by providing 186 square feet homes on wheels. The homes would cost around $30,000 to build and would include solar panels, water heaters, composting toilets, and more.
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However, some are questioning the need for the village. Nicole Martinez, the Executive Director of the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope (MVCH), argued that the proposal was unnecessary, as MVCH was "aggressively meeting [homeless veterans' needs]." Presently, MVCH's tent village hosts 60 veterans and 270 veterans in the past fiscal year through their Camp Hope project. The camp offers a variety of services, including laundry facilities, career opportunities, clinics, and more. Perhaps the concern is that another homeless village, while a generous and helpful idea, may redirect resources already being given by the existing nonprofit.
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Ken Miyagishima, the mayor of Las Cruces, suggested that the proposal group and MVCH meet together and discuss the plan before coming back to City Council with further plans of the Ecovillage.