The goal of Pennies for Quarters is to provide homeless veterans with temporary housing, affording them time and opportunity to get their lives back on track. We recognize that this will be very challenging. However, allowing those that have placed their lives on the line for our nation, those that served honorably in peacetime and in war, to be lost in the system is unacceptable. It is a black ey
e on our nation, and on our county. Our plan is simple, yet is ambitious in its simplicity. Pennies for Quarters (P4Q) has a goal of:
- Obtaining approximately 6 acres of land
- Placing a maximum of 27 “Tiny Houses” on the land, providing those Veterans privacy and dignity in no longer being homeless
- Constructing a central building to furnish them with laundry facilities, and room for AA meetings and group or individual therapy for those that may be suffering from PTSD, or other issues associated with veterans
- Creating community gardens. These have been shown to be therapeutic. It will also allow the residents to save on food costs.
- Providing computers for use in applying for jobs, or in learning skills to increase their job prospects. There will be a screening process for those homeless veterans that come to us. Those that wish to be a part of our program will have to agree to our codes of conduct. While our codes of conduct are still in development, they will include:
- All applicants must be able to provide proof of service (DD214), and must have been either Honorably or Generally Discharged.
- All applicants must be drug free, or be willing to enter into in-patient treatment. They will also have to agree to monthly drug testing. In the event of a failed drug test, community members will enter into treatment.
- All applicants will be expected to work. Until such time as they gain employment, they will be expected to volunteer in the community either on the property (i.e grounds upkeep, maintenance of facilities, etc.) or for a non-profit that is in need of volunteers.
- The initial term for being allowed in the program is 1-2 years. Extensions will be possible, but will be approved on a case by case basis. The program is intended to help those that want to be able to get their lives back on track, not to provide permanent housing for free.
