VOPA and local officials cut the ribbon on Veteran’s Grove
A new housing development in Harrisburg is ready to welcome residents.
Veterans Outreach of Central Pennsylvania (VOPA) cut the ribbon on Wednesday on its tiny home village that will house homeless veterans in a secluded community in south Harrisburg.
“These bricks and this mortar will be the foundation upon which we will rebuild lives and give our veterans a renewed sense of purpose and hope,” said Tom Zimmerman, VOPA co-founder and board chair, at the ceremony.
Veteran’s Grove, located on a five-acre plot of land at 1105 S. Front St., along the riverfront past the PennDOT building, includes 15 tiny homes and a community center. The organization plans to function as a transitional living community for men and women who are homeless and in need of assistance with things like finding work, addressing mental health issues and overcoming substance abuse disorders.
Veteran’s Grove
In June 2023, VOPA broke ground on the over $4.1 million project, after first proposing the project in 2020. The land was donated by local philanthropist Peggy Grove, and the organization raised money completely from community donors, said Bill Habacivch, VOPA executive director.
Veterans will begin moving into the tiny homes, rent-free, in early June, each getting their own home, which includes a bed and bathroom, as well as support services through a therapeutic community model.
In the community center, residents will experience group therapy sessions and peer-to-peer engagement, which will pair them with veteran mentors.
Inside a tiny home
The center also includes a kitchen, which will serve residents three meals each day, and a dining room, as well as rooms for meetings, the intake process and medical and dental services.
“Everyone is an individual, and everyone has individual issues that need to be addressed and so they get an individual plan,” Habacivch told TheBurg.
In addition to assistance for those who live on site, the center will also help veterans from the Harrisburg area community at large, offering the same counseling, wellness and job training services.
“Our job is that we cannot leave anyone behind,” Habacivch said. “When I was in the corps. we would never leave anyone behind.”
For more information about VOPA, visit their website.
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