On Dec. 3, 2025, hundreds gathered for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Veteran Village in Eagan—a first-of-its-kind supportive housing community for veterans and their families. This milestone event marked the culmination of a project that could not have been achieved without the extraordinary generosity of the housing industry.
“The choice was simple—we are choosing to help some of the bravest men and women in the world,” said Jeremy Larson, vice president and part owner of Hampton Companies and the 2025 Housing First Minnesota Foundation President. “They put their lives on the line for us on a daily basis to protect and defend our great nation—we don’t need many more reasons than that. It’s an honor for myself and our company to be part of this great cause [and] to help end veteran homelessness in the state of Minnesota.”
Led by Housing First Minnesota Foundation, in partnership with Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), Build Partner Lennar, and the Lennar Foundation, Veteran Village is designed to serve up to 36 veterans and their families in a 22-unit townhome style community.
Generosity at the core
From the beginning, this project was driven by housing industry support. Through fundraising, a match challenge, and continuous collaboration, more than $1.2 million in in-kind material and labor donations helped offset construction costs, while financial and grant contributions brought the project to completion. Veteran Village became more than a philanthropic effort—it showcased how the housing industry can lead community impact. By donating funds, materials, and labor, partners helped keep costs low for MACV and demonstrated how collective resources can address veteran homelessness, creating a lasting community for those who served.
“At Lelch, we believe in giving back to those who gave so much,” said Alex Lelchuk, founder and designer at Lelch. “Supporting the Veteran Village project is our way of honoring veterans who upheld the American dream and made it possible for us to help others today.”
Celebrating a new chapter for veterans
Veteran Village marks a significant step toward seeing veteran homelessness reach its functional end in Minnesota, meaning there are resources in place to house any veteran who becomes homeless. With supportive services onsite from MACV, Veteran Village offers more than housing—it offers the community, stability, and dignity that comes with having a place to call home.
“Housing our veterans and providing a safe place for them and their families to call home is the least we can do to thank them for their service,” said Jerry Asmus, territory sales manager, and Chad Gilman, regional sales manager, at LP Building Solutions. “It has been an honor to support MACV and its various partners to provide homes for our veterans. This is LP Building Solutions’ way to say, ‘Thank you for your service!’”
At the ribbon cutting, heartfelt remarks came from key project partners. Time and again, the message was the same: “We couldn’t have done this without you.” But the story doesn’t stop there. Veterans have already begun to move in, marking the next chapter of Veteran Village—a chapter where it is now truly a community for those who have served.
Takeaways for the housing industry
To everyone who contributed to Veteran Village through donations, materials, labor, expertise, or encouragement, thank you! This project proves when the housing industry unites behind a cause, the results surpass expectations. The ribbon cutting was a celebration of veterans, community, and an industry driven by purpose and generosity. Through millions in financial and in-kind contributions, builders, suppliers, donors, and supporters turned a vision into reality: a lasting home for our state’s veterans and a powerful step toward ending veteran homelessness in Minnesota.