Veterans Village Redefines Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans in Richmond
Richmond, VA – Liberation Veteran Services (LVS), a nonprofit dedicated to aiding homeless Veterans, has officially opened the first phase of Veterans Village, a transformative supportive housing project that offers dignity-focused accommodations and services for Veterans in need. According to LVS, the $13K SF complex represents a significant upgrade from their previous barracks-style living facility, providing 50 private bedrooms and bathrooms, alongside a 4K SF community space to foster connection and healing. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, with residents beginning to move in by February 2026.
Phase I: A Dignified Approach to Veteran Care
The new Veterans Village replaces LVS’s original Hull Street location and introduces a best-in-class model for addressing homelessness among Veterans. The two-story micro-apartment building prioritizes privacy and community by offering private bedrooms and bathrooms for all residents—an immense improvement over the shared sleeping quarters and facilities at the previous site. Complementing the residential units is a modern community building featuring a dining hall, gathering spaces, a conference room, laundry area, and courtyard to promote social interaction and stability.
LVS CEO Lynne Berkness stated, “Veterans Village reflects the strength of partnership and shared community commitment to our Veterans. We are thankful to our partners and generous community for helping turn our dream into reality.”
Market Context: A National Crisis, Local Action
Veterans make up 8% of Virginia’s population but account for nearly 13% of individuals experiencing homelessness, highlighting an acute need for targeted solutions. Liberation Veteran Services is addressing this disparity with a low-demand, housing-first model that reduces entry barriers for Veterans seeking stability. Since its founding in 2013, LVS has housed over 800 Veterans, maintaining an 86% success rate for long-term independent living.
This new project underscores the importance of combining private sector partnerships and Veteran-focused programming to develop sustainable solutions for homelessness. Phase I of Veterans Village is adjacent to a public GRTC bus stop, ensuring transit access for Veterans to medical appointments, jobs, and daily needs—one of several key infrastructural enhancements made by design partners Timmons Group, Baskervill Architects, and Hourigan Construction.
The Path Ahead: Expansion and Community Impact
Looking ahead, Veterans Village will expand further with Phase II, adding 20 permanent affordable rental units in a mix of single-bedroom apartments. This additional housing will provide long-term stability for LVS alumni and increase capacity for future residents transitioning out of homelessness.
“This new development demonstrates the power of innovative collaboration,” said Amelia Wehunt, Principal at Timmons Group, noting how local engineering and design teams addressed unique challenges, from stormwater drainage improvements to enhanced transportation access.
As the largest low-demand program for homeless Veterans in the U.S., Liberation Veteran Services has elevated the standard of care, proving that a compassionate, community-driven approach can transform lives. With Veterans Village poised to serve as a national model, the project raises an urgent question: as homelessness among Veterans persists, how can other regions replicate Richmond’s success?
