Mighty Hero Homes proposes 84-unit veterans community at Central State Hospital site

Drew Wallston of Mighty Hero Homes told the Milledgeville City Council that his nonprofit plans to build an 84-home community for homeless veterans on about 20 acres of the Central State Hospital property along Bypass Road.

The project, Wallston said, would cost about $20 million and include seven quads of housing, a 6,000-square-foot community center with health and career-training services, a K9 training center and a 3,000-square-foot greenhouse for hydroponics and aquaponics. “We are going to build an 84-home community for homeless veterans right here in Millersville,” Wallston said.

Wallston described the group’s model as permanent, affordable homeownership for veterans, with a stated goal of moving a resident from homelessness to homeownership within two years. He said Mighty Hero Homes has engaged state leaders and plans the Milledgeville site as the first of what the group calls 450 pilot bases nationwide.

The presenter asked the city and its civic groups, churches and businesses to help sponsor individual homes; he said the model asks neighborhood coalitions to raise roughly $100,000 per sponsored home and stressed community partnership. “Mighty Hero Homes is not seeking to do something in Milledgeville, to Milledgeville, or for Milledgeville. We’re seeking to do something with Milledgeville,” Wallston said.

Council members thanked Wallston and noted handouts were available for the public and council. A council member who identified herself as an officer on the Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority said it was a pleasure to assist with obtaining the land. Wallston said he would follow up with materials and continue outreach to residents and stakeholders.

Next steps: Wallston distributed informational handouts and indicated follow-up meetings and community engagement would continue; no formal city action on the project was taken at this meeting.