Lincoln County commissioners signal support for tiny‑home project for veterans; no formal vote recorded

Ashley Lewis, executive director of the Connection Homeless Shelter, presented the Connections Tiny Houses for Veterans project and asked the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to consider an in‑kind county contribution of labor and equipment to install foundations for the first tiny homes.

Lewis said the project — branded in the discussion as “Honor Homes at Patty’s Place” — grew from earlier housing work by the shelter and a partnership with Mid Plains Community CollegeReady to Work students. The plan, as described, calls for seven private tiny homes plus a community building (already purchased) and uses local partners: Judy Peterson donated property where two of the units are currently staged; the city of North Platte provided demolition funding to clear a dilapidated apartment building on the site; Dave Hahn contributed layout planning; and Nash Ackerman of Ackerman Construction offered donated project management services and labor time.

Lewis told the board the first livable unit is intended for a veteran currently staying at the shelter who has been homeless for many years and is reluctant to enter systems that require disability documentation. She said the project intentionally does not rely on federal funding sources that commonly require disability documentation; the program will require proof of veteran status and other qualifying factors meant to reduce barriers to housing.

Commissioner Katherine Wheeler (identified in the transcript as taking a lead on the item) described outreach she had done to contractors and county staff and asked county departments to consider donating in‑kind labor and equipment for foundation work. Highway Superintendent Jason Schultz, Building & Grounds staff (referred to in the discussion as Booker or Booker Boyer), and others indicated they had reviewed the plans and were supportive. Tanner Paterra (insurance/liability contact referenced in the discussion) advised that the county’s existing policies would cover typical in‑kind donations and that he did not anticipate uninsured liability for the proposed assistance.

Speakers estimated that preparing the site, setting foam forms, pouring concrete and placing the buildings would take a few hours to, at most, two afternoons of coordinated work. Lewis and supporting speakers said the city would complete later utility hookups (water, sewer, electrical) once foundations were set, and that the project team wanted to move quickly so a veteran currently in shelter could occupy a unit before colder weather.

No formal motion to commit county funds, equipment or staff time was made or recorded in the transcript. Several commissioners and department heads voiced clear support and the chair indicated the board could give direction to department heads; commissioners asked Lewis to return with a confirmed build date and further coordination details. Lewis said she would provide those details to the board and publish a build date for volunteers and partners.

Why it matters: supporters said the project removes administrative barriers that can keep veterans from accessing housing tied to disability documentation, leverages local trades and college training programs, and aims to put an identified veteran into a unit quickly.

What’s next: county department heads agreed to participate in planning and advised staff to coordinate timing and insurance checks; the board asked for a return report with a confirmed foundation/placement schedule. No formal county commitment or appropriation was recorded in the meeting transcript.