The Way Church has a simple goal: Provide homes for Manteca’s homeless veterans
And they believe they can do so with The Way Veteran Village consisting of 15 tiny homes on under utilized church property on the northeast corner of North Street and Roosevelt Avenue.
Manteca Way Church, 715 East North St., is hosting a community open house Thursday, July 17, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The church — along with partners Anchor CM, The WellNest Company, and Keystone Foundation — are:
*seeking feedback on site design, neighborhood integration, and safety measures.
*providing a tour of what the housing will look like using an outfitted auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU) showroom to allow attendees to experience accessibility features, energy-efficient systems, and space-saving lay outs up close.
*sharing information about the veteran support network — counseling, employment assistance and community programming — that will be available through partner organizations.
The model being used in Manteca has more than 100 beneficiaries so far statewide.
It uses faith-based leadership, construction experts, ADU innovators, and nonprofit care providers to “united and empower local veterans.”
The community open house is designed to seek input to make sure it is an asset the neighborhood and community take can pride in having in Manteca.
The ongoing case management doesn’t include services on site but makes sure they are readily available.
They will be opportunities to ask questions about the project described as a “proposed housing initiative to provide safe, dignified homes, and integrated services for local veterans right here in Manteca.”
The envisioned layout has the tiny homes facing an interior courtyard.
Pastor David Rangel-Diaz stressed the congregation wants to be part of the solution.
The church already offers a safe haven for homeless that can park and sleep in their vehicles overnight.
The initial three tiny homes will house those individuals, although all are not veterans.
Rangel-Diaz said it will allow the program to iron out bugs.
Going forward, the additional 12 units will be for veterans.
The last point in time count in Manteca showed there were just under 15 homeless veterans among the 238 homeless counted in January of 2024.
It is their hope The Way Veteran Village will get all homeless veterans in Manteca off the street.
They also hope other churches in Manteca with available land space might follow suit to build additional tiny homes for the homeless.
Free refreshments will be served. There will also be music and other activities.
The Huddle Sports Grill will also have food options available for purchase Thursday.
For questions, call (925) 248-8736 or email pastordavid209@gmail.com
Organizers are hoping not just neighbors but city leaders, veterans (homeless and otherwise) and others from throughout the community that want to be part of the solution will attend.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.con
