Dennis Officials Planning For Homeless Vets Housing

DENNIS – Five to six local homeless veterans may soon have a place to stay in Dennis.

Selectman Wayne Bergeron and Town Planner Daniel Fortier have reached out to local skilled workers and business, and intend to fund the construction of a one-story, 13,000-square-foot structure entirely on donations from those who wish to contribute.

Bergeron said the project has already received major support.

“The community stepped right up,” he said.

He said a few prospective parcels of land have been examined, but will not be announced until he and Fortier can speak with neighbors.

The property would be leased for 99 years at the cost of a dollar, if approved during the town’s fall Town Meeting.

There would be five or six bedrooms in the final structure, which Bergeron said could be built by Christmas. Each room would have a corresponding bathroom.

“It’ll be a place with dignity,” Bergeron said.

On the heels of Hyannis’ homeless woes, the Dennis project will involve many different individuals from town to be successful. Bergeron said that the community has always been a generous one, and said he hopes building the structure will make a statement.