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Former Homeless Vet Vows To Help Others By Building Tiny Homes

LEE, N.H. (CBS) - Peter MacDonald served as a Marine sergeant in Vietnam in the 1970s. He became homeless when he returned to New Hampshire.

"A person who became my friend found me. He was a Vietnam veteran that got back a year before me and realized what I was going through when he found me living under dumpster in Dover," explained MacDonald.

He and his wife later met through his veteran rehabilitation services. Three years ago, they used their retirement money and life savings and held fundraisers to start a non-profit called Veteran Resort Chapel. The goal is to build 12 tiny homes on 11-acres of land for homeless combat veterans.

"This is something that should've been done years ago and I really hope that other people will see the idea of tiny homes for homeless combat veterans to given them a chance to find themselves to come home mentally as well as physically," said MacDonald.

Veteran Resort Chapel
Veteran Resort Chapel (WBZ-TV)

He has allowed at least 10 homeless combat vets to stay on his property so far.

"They're tiny but they're homes and they're actually mansions to homeless people who are living out under bridges or in the woods," he says.

MacDonald said the vet who was last staying at the first tiny house has died. Rent is free and utilities are paid for. Veterans can stay as long as they want.

Veteran Resort Chapel
Foundation for tiny house at Veteran Resort Chapel (WBZ-TV)

No alcohol and drugs allowed on site. MacDonald said if a veteran is caught once with it, they're kicked off. Guests who are not veterans are not allowed to stay overnight.

The foundation has been created for second tiny house. MacDonald said the tiny house will be completely built by volunteers within a week. Foundation for third house will start soon.

There are also volunteer mobile services that plan to visit the site, like SeaCoast, which is a traveling medical group that offers free healthcare.

MacDonald told WBZ's Chantee Lans that there's also a pond on the site that will eventually have a boating dock and kayaks for the veterans. The property consists of 11 acres of land. MacDonald said six of the acres will be for a walking path only for veterans.

"I want to see veterans make it. I want to see these veterans have a chance because I was given a chance."

For more information on the Veteran Resort Chapel, visit http://www.veteranresortchapel.com/.

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