There’s nothing nobler than saving lives and dying for one’s country.

But as much as these ideals are romanticized or aspired to, the reality does not reflect the reverence people give toward military service.

For years the United States is being stung by two words that don’t go well together given the country’s history – “homeless veterans”.

Veterans from different branches have laid their lives but come back to a country that can’t even help them put a roof over their heads. And so, to address this crucial gap, the veterans took it upon themselves to serve each other.

According to recent data, tens of thousands of veterans are homeless.

Bryan Meyer, CEO and co-founder of the Veterans Community Project shared his frustrations. He said that veteran homelessness is juggled and passed around by the federal government, veteran affairs, and the local community.

He said to FOX News that as “neighbors and brothers and sisters” of the community, we have the power to change things without waiting for someone else.

Thus began the Veteran Community Project.

The initiative is a transitional housing project that aims to curb veteran homelessness by giving them a temporary place to stay while they pursue becoming independent.

Meyer, a lawyer and a veteran himself, started the organization with fellow veterans Mark Solomon, Brandon Mixon, and Vincent Morales. Meyer served under the U.S. Marines as a corporal.

The VCP worked on the experiences of veterans themselves.

They talked to veterans living in Kansas City and interviewed them about why they were living on the streets. The common concerns they got were privacy, security, and community reintegration and participation.

Building on these ideals, they created a village consisting of 49 tiny houses. It might not look much, but for a veteran looking for a fresh start, it can mean the world to them.

The village is small but well-thought.

Firstly, the village is what it says on the tin – a community. This safe space enables tenants to build relationships with each other and build a social support system.

The village is also close to the services that the veterans need like government offices, hospitals, and other institutions that support their reintegration into the bigger community.

The tiny houses are also fully furnished.

The floor plan follows a studio-type framework with one separate room for the bathroom. It has cupboards, couches, and beds – all of which are similar to usual apartments to further help their transition.

The village also welcomes pets, most especially those who own therapy dogs. One of the best parts about the community is it’s built through volunteer efforts.

After the success of their first village, the organization aims to branch out.

According to their website, the organization will use the Kansas City village as a blueprint for the future communities in Longmont, Colorado, St. Louis, Missouri, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

As Meyer said, the villages are built on the mentality they were trained into – in any adversity, you’ll just have to put one foot in front of another. All you need to do is take that step.

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Source: YouTube – Tiny House Tours, FOX, VCP, Facebook – Veterans Community Project