‘Tiny homes’ for veterans planned on northwest side

A plan to develop around 50 “tiny homes” as housing for homeless veterans is moving forward on Milwaukee’s northwest side.

The project is planned for a cityowned site at North 60th Street and West Green Tree Road, according to a Wednesday announcement from the Department of City Development.

Each of the tiny homes will be around 240 square feet. Up to 48 of these houses could eventually be constructed on the site, according to the department.

The proposal is based on a Racine development: the James A. Peterson Veterans Village.

That project, which opened in 2017, features 15 tiny homes and a community center with showers, laundry facilities, kitchen, food pantry and recreation areas.

The Milwaukee project would combine housing with supportive services “that recognize the trauma some veterans face and the desire for dignity shared by veterans,” according to the Department of City Development.

Veterans who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, could live in the tiny homes for up to two years before transitioning to permanent housing.

The project is being led by Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin Inc. That nonprofit group also developed the Racine Veterans Village.

Ald. Chantia Lewis, a veteran herself, and Mayor Tom Barrett are supporting the development — which requires the sale of the site. That vacant property, part of the former Bacher farm, is located in Lewis’ district.

The property sale will require approval from the board of the city’s Redevelopment Authority and the Common Council.

Meanwhile, Veterans Outreach is raising funds for the project, and is introducing the plans to neighborhood residents.