A PROPOSED tiny home community for veterans has encountered strong pushback — including from another veteran.
Manatee County Commission halted plans to build a tiny village of homes for veterans who are struggling in Bradenton.
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Bradenton’s tiny home village, a project of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation that was proposed to provide affordable housing to 130 at-risk Veterans.
Tunnels to Towers was given an 8,7 acre plot of land for $9 million by the County Commission.
In order to better hear the concerns of their constituents, they have scheduled a public town hall discussion on August 19, which will take place up until six weeks after its original date.
Kevin Van Ostenbridge is the Chairman of the County Commission. He said: “My concern for the area and the businesses around it” Bradenton Herald.
The proof, the assurances or recourse I require are:
Van Ostenbridge was particularly concerned with the types of residents Tunnel to Towers will serve.
“Let’s be straight up and quit pussyfooting around the issue,” he continued. “We’re doing a homeless transition site.”
In an issue of his newsletter Van Ostenbridge called the project a “West Bradenton Homeless Shelter” to try to influence his readers against it.
Van Ostenbridge, the Tunnel To Towers most outspoken opponent is not alone. Other commissioners share his apprehension.
Former Marine Jason Bearden also supported the decision to postpone the hearing.
“I think, as a board, we have to do the due diligence, to shop around and get public comment on this,” Bearden said.
Bradenton residents are receptive to Bearden and Van Ostenbridge despite their opposition.
“I’m honestly genuinely confused,” one Facebook user commented on Van Ostenbridge’s post about the issue. “I thought the proposal on the table was for affordable housing for our veterans, who certainly deserve our county’s thanks and support.”
“I am not sure why this is listed as a Town Hall for a West (Bradenton) Homeless Shelter,” another user wrote. “Isn’t this the program that Tunnels to Towers Foundation would be overseeing as transitional and affordable housing for Veterans?”
Tunnels to Towers, even if its Florida project fails, has built similar developments already in Arizona California and Texas.
Its WebsiteThe Foundation currently has 2,000 Veterans.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation was contacted for a response by the U.S. Sun.
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