‘You Are Not Forgotten’: Tiny Homes for Veterans

A National Reminder That Service Should Never Be Forgotten
In communities across the country, veteran homelessness remains a persistent challenge. This week in East Tennessee, one county offered a model that could resonate far beyond its borders. Knox County broke ground on Operation Hero’s Hill, a tiny home community designed to provide stable housing and support for veterans experiencing homelessness — a local project carrying a national message: those who served should never be left without a place to call home.

Local Action with National Implications
Operation Hero’s Hill is being built through a partnership that includes county leaders, public schools, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, housing agencies, and nonprofit and private-sector partners. The first phase will create 20 tiny homes, along with a shared community center featuring a computer lab and laundry facilities. Students and individuals in reentry programs are helping construct the homes alongside skilled trades mentors, blending workforce development with service to veterans — a model that could be replicated in communities nationwide.

A Blueprint for Communities Nationwide
While the project will initially serve 20 veterans, local leaders acknowledge that many more in the region remain unhoused — a reality mirrored in cities and rural communities across America. Operation Hero’s Hill is being framed not as a one-time solution, but as a scalable approach to veteran housing that other counties and states could adapt: small homes, supportive services, and community involvement working together to restore stability and dignity.

More Than Housing — A Statement of National Gratitude
At its core, Operation Hero’s Hill reflects a broader truth felt nationwide: veterans deserve more than words of thanks. They deserve safe housing, support, and a renewed sense of belonging. As similar challenges play out in communities from coast to coast, projects like this offer a tangible example of how local action can speak to a national responsibility.