Pete Hegseth is donating his entire $12.9 million bonus and sponsorship earnings toward building housing and support centers for people experiencing homelessness in his hometown of Minneapolis.

The ambitious plan aims to establish 150 permanent housing units and 300 shelter beds across Minnesota—where brutal winters make homelessness a life-or-death reality.

At a press conference in downtown Minneapolis, a visibly moved Hegseth explained his motivation. “This city raised me … No one should freeze on the same streets where I learned to walk to school,” he said.

The project is more than bricks and mortar: it features job training programs, veteran outreach, and mental health counseling, with emphasis on long-term rehabilitation rather than temporary relief.

Though Hegseth is best known for his vocal conservative views, his announcement drew praise from across the political spectrum. Local officials and advocacy groups lauded the gesture as an embodiment of “compassion meeting action.”

Community leader Maya Peterson called it “real leadership,” noting that Hegseth was leveraging his platform to “build something that saves lives,” irrespective of politics.

Looking ahead, Hegseth urged businesses and media figures to contribute. He insisted homelessness is “not a partisan issue but a moral one,” and called on others to join the effort.

The first construction phase is slated to begin early next year, with a goal of completion by late 2026. Afterward he reflected quietly: “You can’t take wealth with you, but you can leave warmth behind.”