Crews with Renewal by Andersen installed doors and windows in tiny homes at Veteran’s Grove.
A unique project to provide homes for unhoused veterans is getting closer to completion.
Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania (VOPA) on Friday demonstrated substantial progress on its multi-year project on S. Front Street in Harrisburg, installing windows and doors on 15 tiny homes with help from a local business.
Renewal by Andersen of Central PA provided the more than $500,000 in windows and doors and volunteered their time to install them on Friday.
“This is part of our DNA, of who we are,” said Scott Brodkorb, CEO of Renewal by Andersen. “We feel there’s a responsibility to give back to the community.”
(From left) Scott Brodkorb, CEO of Renewal by Andersen, Linda Johnston, chief culture officer of Renewal by Andersen and Tom Zimmerman, co-founder and chair of Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania
In June 2023, VOPA broke ground on “Veteran’s Grove” on a five-acre plot of land at 1105 S. Front St., along the riverfront past the PennDOT building. The organization is currently finishing up construction on the over $4.1 million project, including the tiny homes and a community center.
After Friday’s work, next steps include adding siding to the houses, as well as painting and installing flooring inside, according to Tom Zimmerman, co-founder of VOPA and chair of the board. He estimates that VOPA will be ready to open its doors to residents by late spring or early summer.
“It’s surreal,” Zimmerman said. “This is where we are going to be servicing our veterans and helping them be able to become model citizens in our community.”
Crews work on the Veteran’s Grove community center.
Zimmerman said that VOPA will be reaching out to local service providers to take referrals for potential residents. Housing will be provided for free to veterans in need, and the length of time that they live at Veteran’s Grove will depend on each person’s needs, he said.
“I can’t wait until we can really start our operation,” Zimmerman said.
For more information about Veteran’s Outreach of Pennsylvania, visit their website.
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