Council directs staff to work with Redeploying American Veterans; CoC presents PIT/HMIS findings showing ongoing housing need
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Summary
Redeploying American Veterans pitched a veteran‑focused tiny‑home village and requested city help identifying surplus land and zoning assistance; council asked staff to work with the group. Separately the Continuum of Care presented 2025 PIT and HMIS figures (PIT 383, HMIS 845 people served) and flagged gaps in emergency shelter and rental assistance.
Redeploying American Veterans (RAV), a nonprofit led by Army veteran Jimmy Plater, presented a proposed veteran tiny‑home community and wraparound service model to the Fayetteville City Council on Jan. 5.
Plater outlined a six‑step intake and support model — veteran verification, background/health checks, financial literacy and bank setup, tiny‑home placement and individualized case plans — and described partnerships with local nonprofits and the VA. RAV identified two potential parcels (1010 Johnson Street, roughly 0.46 acre, and a site on West Cliff Road near Bingham Road) and said a minimum of about a half‑acre is needed to start a 10‑unit cluster. The group said a private corporate partner pledged donated units and sustainment funds for operations. RAV requested city support identifying surplus or city‑owned land, assistance with zoning and permitting and coordination with county partners.
Council members raised questions about land transfer, long‑term operations and whether tiny homes could remain on site under city rules; staff said conditional zoning or interlocal county cooperation could address duration and permitting issues. The council unanimously voted to receive the presentation and directed staff to work with RAV to share surplus site lists and report back with zoning options and next steps; the item will also be discussed at the city–county liaison meeting.
Also on the agenda, the Fayetteville‑Cumberland Continuum of Care (CoC) presented its 2025 point‑in‑time (PIT) count and year‑round HMIS data. The PIT count recorded 383 people experiencing homelessness; HMIS reported 845 people served and 553 households across the year. The CoC emphasized that PIT is a 24‑hour snapshot and that HMIS and referral volumes (2,580 referrals over seven months) better capture sustained need. Key gaps identified were emergency shelter, rental assistance and utility help. The CoC noted increases in transitional housing placements but a decline in permanent supportive housing tied to provider losses; HUD funding and improved coordinated entry staffing have increased capacity but referrals still outpace placements.
Council members and CoC leaders discussed white‑flag shelter nights, volunteer needs for upcoming PIT counts and how city and county agencies can better coordinate. The council voted to receive the CoC report and invited broader interagency coordination.
Next steps: staff to share surplus land lists with RAV and return with zoning/permitting options; CoC and city to continue coordinated‑entry improvements and recruit volunteers for the next PIT count.
