Will tiny homes for veterans open by Christmas? What we know on the Myrtle Beach project
It’s been nearly two years since construction began on tiny homes for unhoused veterans in downtown Myrtle Beach, but it appears that they may finally see occupants by Christmas.
Scott Dulebohn, director of the Veterans Welcome Home & Resource Center, is hoping the homes will be open to some veterans by Dec. 15.
However, because of additional delays, a more realistic date for the opening of the 25 homes is by the end of the month, according to Chuck Wimer, director of the Hutton House, a homeless shelter for veterans in Little River.
“It could be next week, but I think that’s being overly optimistic,” Wimer said about the Dec. 15 date. “We want to get these people in.”
There are 22 veterans ready to move in, and there is already a waiting list, Wimer said. Those interested securing a home or volunteering can go to the website or call 843-427-4568.
Twenty-two of the homes, located at 909 Third Avenue North, are built for residents and the remaining are for the case manager and utility facilities.
When asked why construction has taken so long, Dulebohn said, “We don’t have a million dollar account.” The agency is volunteer based and money to build the homes comes from donations and grants, he said.
The project began in January 2022. Dulebohn said the agency has spent more than $1 million in building the homes.
Concrete was expected to be laid Monday, and once that is finished, the hope is to begin moving in veterans, Dulebohn said.
Dulebohn said Dec. 15 is a tentative date, and it all depends on how long the last pieces of construction take place.
The tiny homes will each be 144 square feet, have a bathroom and fridge. There will be a stocked kitchen and a resource center nearby, The Sun reported in 2022. One tiny home costs about $30,000, according to Dulebohn.
Rent will cost around $200 a month. However, some veterans will get housing assistance and the resource center takes into account the veteran’s financial situation when considering rent, Wimer said.
Tiny homes are a more cost effective way to house people and provides more comfort than a hotel room would.
A grand opening will be held when the houses open.
