Veterans nonprofit proposes 'Battle Born' transitional village and asks commissioners for support

Steven Kaufman, an Army veteran and founder of Patton's Pals, presented a proposal on June 18 for 'Battle Born Barracks' and a tiny-home village to provide structured transitional housing and recovery supports to veterans in Augusta.

Kaufman described the program as a bridge between crisis care and full independence: referrals would come from the VA and local providers, residents would receive recovery services, life-skills training, employment readiness and benefit navigation while housed in regimented barracks followed by tiny-home transitional units. The program would require drug and alcohol testing and participation in community programs; Kaufman said the organization is pursuing nonprofit status and has a fiscal sponsor in the interim to take grants.

Kaufman said his team has identified property along Walton Way/Hickman tract near the VA and Vet Center and reported property owners signaled support. He requested the commission's guidance and nonfinancial help, including letters of support for grant applications and introductions to potential public partners. Multiple commissioners praised the idea, asked about comparable models (the Cove at Dundee in Savannah), and offered to assist with outreach and technical connections.

No commission funding was requested at the meeting; commissioners offered to follow up with letters and partnerships and to engage staff where appropriate.