Las Cruces looks to “tiny homes” as a possible solution to veteran homelessness

On Monday, Las Cruces city councilors will discuss building tiny homes to combat veteran homelessness.

Local veterans in the community are suggesting a subdivision of the energy efficient homes be built in Las Cruces.They’re looking to rely on state and federal funding to construct them. They also suggested having veterans work on site to earn money. For veterans who receive federal benefits, they could use vouchers to pay for rent.

Tiny homes are a social movement for people choosing to downsize the space they live in.

ABC-7 toured a tiny home built by students at Dona Ana Community College. The home is only 240 square feet and 12 feet tall. The cost of living is incredibly low, because of energy efficient windows and no sewage system. It also doesn’t cost much to build.

“The grey water comes out of the shower, it comes out of the sink, it comes out of the bathroom base. Grey water has no sewage, no fecal matter in it, so you can run that out into a garden or to water your shrubs,” according to DACC.

There is no timeline on when the homes would be built.