on the needs of the particular veteran
moving into it. Organizations
sponsoring a home could get naming
rights, which is just one of the many
ideas for offsetting the cost. With other
projects as noble as this one, funding,
while necessary, is not the only hurdle
to overcome.
O’Mahony’s goal was to have
something tangible happening
by Veterans Day this November.
Before any dirt can be moved, he
has to get zoning variances in place
to accommodate all of the stylized
activity that will be at the site.
“We’re planning for a 5,000-square-
foot community center, which is a
necessity. When you do have tiny
living, it’s like living in condos—
everyone may have a smaller space, but
they will always have the community
center portions,” O’Mahony says.
“We’re hoping to have a hostel in there
as well for people to visit this project
as we have people calling from all over
the country.
“Once the initial funding is secured
and zoning is in place, it can go very
quickly. Gateway Engineering, OBA
Design, and Massaro Corp. are ready
to go. Ecocraft Homes, the tiny
home builder, can build them off site
while the land is being taken care of.
The homes can be made elsewhere,
brought in with a crane and lifted
into place.”
“The veterans’ model is so important right now.
The goal is help them find a
permanent housing solution and provide services
to help veterans help themselves.”
Then it just comes down to vetting
and placing the veterans and growing
the community, just like O’Mahony
grew the community gardens. And,
if it’s as successful as planned, he
sees an entire world of need where
communities like this could be the
perfect solution.
“You could have communities for
teenage moms with a daycare center.
You could have forever homes for
foster children leaving the system,”
suggests O’Mahony. “The veterans’
model is so important right now. The
goal is to help them find a permanent
housing solution and provide services
to help veterans help themselves. This
serves any person who wants to live
out in the world yet be cozy and have
all your needs met.”
For more information on the
B.O.B. Project, go to bobproject.org.
If you want to get involved, call
412.701.1303 or email
[email protected]. n
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