BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Veterans Resource Center and Tiny Homes project broke ground Feb. 21 in Binghamton. Federal, state, and local officials along with veteran service organizations and community members gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony, according to a press release from Broome County. The project, located at 530 State St., includes 10 accessible tiny homes […]
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Veterans Resource Center and Tiny Homes project broke ground Feb. 21 in Binghamton.
Federal, state, and local officials along with veteran service organizations and community members gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony, according to a press release from Broome County.
The project, located at 530 State St., includes 10 accessible tiny homes consisting of five single units and five double units. All are fully furnished with appliances. The project also includes a resource center designed to serve the veterans living in Broome County and house office spaces for organizations such as the Broome County Veterans Services, Clear Path for Veterans, and Southern Tier Veterans Support Group. There will also be shared workspace available for other community partners that provide veteran support services and a dedicated community room for educational and fellowship events. The Food Bank of the Southern Tier will hold weekly mobile food pantry visits to the site.
“Today marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to honoring and supporting our veterans,” Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said in the release. “The groundbreaking of the Veterans Resource Center and Tiny Homes project signifies not just construction of physical structures, but our gratitude and dedication to those who have served. Together, we are building not only roofs over heads but the foundations of support for our veterans.”
Broome County is funding $9.05 million of the $12.2 million project, with the remaining $3.15 million coming through Congressman Marc Molinaro, Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Gov. Kathy Hochul, state Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, state Sen. Lea Webb, Broome County Sheriff Fred Ashkar, and Empire State Development.
The resource center and tiny homes will be substantially complete by early May 2025.
“The groundbreaking for the Broome County Veteran Center represents a unified component of the county’s veteran-centric approach to our area veterans,” Southern Tier Veterans Support Group President Ben Margolius said. “Once operational, we will have many veteran services and agencies in one central location in proximity to the VA clinic and the Binghamton vet center. With easy access, lots of parking, and location on the bus route, veterans will have easy access to many services in one location. The addition of veteran housing will also be a wonderful addition to house homeless or needy veterans. The veteran center will be a beacon of hope for our veterans.”