Veterans Initiative

As troops return home from post- 9/11 conflicts, attention is increasingly focused on ways to honor veterans and support the transition back home, especially given the current economic circumstances that limit job opportunities and exacerbate availability of affordable housing. The total U.S. veteran population is more than 23.4 million, with at least 2 million post-9/11 veterans. Only 1/3 of the population lives on a military base and the remaining troops and their families are spread out in thousands of communities across the United States. Veterans throughout America were hit hard by the housing crisis. More than 1.5 million veterans spend at least half of their monthly income on rent. As a result, home equity is out of reach for many. Covenant Partners have already begun to develop programs for veterans, particularly those in close proximity to major U.S. bases. Many veterans meet the income and socio-economic profile of Fuller families with 30% to 60% of area median income and paying more than 1/3 of income in rent. A national FCFH Veterans Initiative under the Veterans Build Brand will strengthen the good work already happening, draw on successes and lessons learned and support covenants through our advocacy and networking with government and veterans groups.

The Five Pillars of Veterans Build:

Build: Provide simple, decent and affordable opportunities for military service members and veterans in communities across the US to improve their current housing or to become homeowners.

Educate: Promote better understanding of military culture among Fuller Center’s civilian supporters and the communities in which Fuller Center Covenant Partners are at work and offer access to veterans for financial literacy programs aimed at supporting successful home ownership.

Mobilize: Engage military members, veterans, families, veterans’ groups and all military supporters to serve with and in honor of veterans in volunteer programs in the US and overseas.

Employ: Capitalize on skill sets gained from military service with recruitment targeting veterans as Fuller Center leaders, with employment, internships, fellowships, apprentice programs, and national service opportunities.

Celebrate: Host regular slate of events, broadening awareness of veterans’ housing issues.

The aftermath of War is always challenging. From the scars that are visible to the wounds that no one can see, the fight still goes on within the Veteran. Those who have served in the Military have a special ability to see how valuable another life is, and how precious a simple decent home is to them and their family. Will you help a Combat Veteran who was injured in and IED explosion during Operation Iraqi Freedom? The Veteran’s home needs some TLC and due to his poor health he is unable to take on the task. With the help of Fuller Center for Housing of Greater New York City he and his family are able to sleep in a warm house this winter however the home is in dire need of more repairs. Please consider donating to help a Veteran in need. Diego is a disabled Army Veteran who proudly served from 2001 to 2004. Diego is service connected for PTSD, Major depressive disorder, migraines, tinnitus & Traumatic Brain Injury from an IED explosion in Iraq. After many years of symptoms and two seizures in 2017, Diego was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. His MS, PTSD and depression have really taken a toll on his health, physically and mentally. Diego is married with two boys; ages four and two. Just a few months into closing on their property two Nor Easter’s hit in early 2018. They’d spent thousands on storm damage repair, including the repair of a water main leak on their property. Months later, Diego took time off to rest from his increased fatigue, pain and worsening depression, before starting a new job. After falling behind on the mortgage, they sold quite a few things, including his wife’s wedding rings, just to get by and get out of collections. As they entered extreme financial hardship, Diego and his wife discovered issues with their home; no insulation, rotting windows, black mold spreading from poorly installed windows and a damp basement with crawl spaces that fill with foul smelling water. As they are trying to get back on track, Diego struggles to remain in the workforce. His disabilities and symptoms are extremely challenging to say the least.