La Casa De Flores expands as demand rises for homeless veterans

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Whether they’re making a fountain in the backyard or building a new room, everyone at La Casa de Flores in Santa Maria is a veteran.

"It is a house for stabilizing veterans Whether they are homeless or at risk," said Steven Baird with Echo Group Band of Brothers.

But as Baird explains, the demand for housing homeless veterans is rising, "There’s still such a need with homeless veterans ... it went up 80 percent last year actually."

The housing facility is getting too small to fit those in need.

So they’re making it bigger.

“So we decided to turn the one bedroom into a three bedroom to possibly house either six more mail veterans or a veteran family with children,” said Baird.

So far the builders say they are about fifty percent finished and they’re expecting to complete the project in the next two months.

“It’s just been a long time coming and with the virus slow down and various problems we’ve had it’s just gonna be really nice to have it available,” said owner Fred Pratt of La Casa De Flores.

This project is personal for the construction crew.

Everyone involved is a veteran.

“The foundation ... All of it ... electrical ... now we’re doing plumbing and it’s great I’m learning a lot,” said veteran Ron Bambrough.

Through this project, organizers are hoping every veteran will become a part of the greater good.

"This a project that will keep them going with purpose," said Baird.