Veterans Community Project and Barkley Use Popular Rental Platform to “Help Bring Homeless Vets Home”

Ahead of Veteran’s Day, Veterans Community Project (VCP) posted homeless listings across the country on the popular vacation rental platform Airbnb, as part of its "Homeless Listings" campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the issue of veteran homelessness in the U.S. This effort was developed in partnership with creative idea company, Barkley. 

On the morning of Nov. 8, the Kansas City-based nonprofit posted listings in the top 10 states with the largest homeless population to showcase the grim living conditions many homeless veterans face. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), it is estimated that more than 30,000 veterans are experiencing homelessness and live in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, and literally on the street. 

"For a nation that prides itself on honouring its military service members, the words 'homeless veteran' should sting," said Bryan Meyer, VCP co-founder and chief executive officer. "Veteran homelessness is often viewed as a federal or a VA issue, but these veterans are our neighbours—they're part of our communities. We can do something without waiting for somebody else to come in and fix it."

In each listing, VCP encourages people to visit here and donate to the organisation, helping to provide veterans with a home and support services to get back on their feet. 

The listings include powerful headlines like “No One Should Have to Stay Here” along with real photos pulled directly from Google Maps that show places veterans call “home” like under bridges and in doorways and alleyways. The listings also include an “About this Space” section with even more impactful language, highlighting the lack of safety, heat and privacy that many take for granted. When the listings reveal “What this Place Offers,” each amenity is crossed out: no security cameras, no kitchen, no Wifi, no TV and no air conditioning.

“When you see these photos and read these words, it really puts things into perspective,” said Jason Kander, president of national expansion at VCP, United States Army veteran and former secretary of state for Missouri. “The men and women who served to protect our country don’t even have access to the most basic necessities — food, shelter and safety. That is a real problem.” 

Established in Kansas City, Mo., by a group of combat veterans, VCP provides high quality and well-developed strategic services that enable veterans to meet the challenges of day-to-day living, resolve immediate crises and move toward permanent stability. 

VCP’s solution is simple: provide veterans a home of their own and individualised, wraparound support services that not only help get them back on their feet but ensure they continue standing. 

With each community's support, VCP has built Villages in Kansas City, Mo; St. Louis, Mo; Longmont, Colo,; and Sioux Falls, S.D. with plans to build Villages in Milwaukee, WI and Oklahoma City, Okla. Each tiny home inside the Village is pet-friendly and fully furnished with everything a veteran needs, from new furniture to dish towels. 

Specially trained case managers work one-on-one with each resident to achieve incremental, lasting results in the areas of health and wellness, education, employment, financial literacy, and the development of a personal support network. When the veteran is ready, VCP provides support in finding a long-term housing solution, which may include market-rate rentals, homeownership or subsidised housing. Not only does the veteran take the entire contents of the tiny house with them, but they take the ongoing support of the Village as well. 

To learn more about VCP or to donate to this important cause, please visit here. 

The “Homeless Listings” campaign is not affiliated with Airbnb.