Nonprofit raising money for Goldsboro tiny home village to help homeless veterans

The project is hoping to fill a pressing need in the community and led by someone who knows all too well the struggle of living on the street.

“We’re bringing a new thing, and a new design to housing the homeless,” Rice said. “Because we’re going to try to have basically everything for their needs here to work with.”

SOS Management President David Simmons has been helping to renovate the current buildings on the site into an office and gathering space.

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He told WRAL News the entire project would be estimated to cost up to $4 million, and organizers had already raised around $500,000.

While the village would be open to anyone experiencing homelessness, there’s one group in particular that leadership was hoping to help.

“We are what you call a military community,” Simmons said. “Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is less than a mile just down the road here.”

Project leaders said many veterans in Goldsboro fall into homelessness after leaving the military.

While Rice never served, many of his family members did. He’s also had his own battle with homelessness, living on the street as a teenager before spending 14 years in prison.

When people ask why Rice has dedicating his life to serving others now, his answer is simple — he’s been there himself.

“Let’s show [veterans] that we appreciate what you did, and because you did that for us, we’re doing this for you,” Rice said. “We can get a lot of people off the street and help them get back on their way to life, and that’s what it’s all about.”