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Free Homes to OEF/OIF Vets with purple hearts and medically retired

Militarywarriors.org is giving away free homes (no mortgage) to veterans who qualify (requirements include purple heart preferred, medically retired, OIF/OEF veteran, currently does not have a mortgage, the website has more explanation) The home are donated by banks (JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, etc) and are renovated to be handicapped accessible. The website has the listed inventory of homes (California!) that are currently available or the veteran can put in a "wish list" and if selected the non profit will try to find one in their preferred location. They try to place the veterans not only by their preference but by access to medical facilities, good schools, veteran friendly environment, etc.

The veteran is "awarded" the house. For the first three years of occupancy, the non profit holds the deed to the house. The veteran has to show they can adapt, are financially responsible, substance free, crime free, etc (very similar to the habitat for humanity model). They also must participate in monthly financial counseling. This is to learn how to budget and be aware of how to be a homeowner. At the end of the three years if successful, they will be given the deed to the house.

The program director is Casey and she is really helpful. I am including her information below as well as the website. If you check out the website, they recently awarded a house in Fayetteville, NC this past weekend. In total, they have given away over 60 homes this year. 

http://militarywarriors.org/openhomes
Here is Casey's information.
Casey Kinser
Programs Director
Military Warriors Support Foundation
MilitaryWarriors.org
Office - (210) 615-8973
Fax # - (210) 957-8556
Mobile - (512) 422-7695

I have sent this information out to Army and Marine leadership but I do not think it has completely made it down to the Soldier level. I am trying to spread the word from the top down and from the bottom up. Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you think it could help. Also, the organization has opportunities for volunteers who would like to act in a mentorship role for the wounded warrior who occupies the house. As many of you know, moving to a new area, adjusting to being a home owner, etc can be overwhelming and the mentors are just one more person who can the veteran can call for advice. If you are interested in possibly volunteering, you can contact Tammy LeValley,  tammy@militarywarriorsmail.org.

Also, my office has hosted wounded warrior lunches this year where Soldiers/Marines, who are receiving treatment at Bethesda, come visit and eat lunch with the Senator. It has been very informative for my office to hear first hand experiences and the warriors enjoy taking the field trip.  If your office is considering do something like that and you have any questions, I would be happy to give you the TTPs I learned about setting it up.

If you have any questions, let me know.

Laura