ORANGETOWN, New York – The latest addition to Homes for Heroes Veterans Apartments are 14 permanent supportive housing complexes for veterans located on the former Camp Shanks military station, which were officially committed Wednesday.
“The governor of New York visited the Rockland Homes For Heroes site in Orangetown, where 14 homeless veteran components were built at the former Camp Shanks to see for himself and cut the ribbon,” Homes for Heroes founder John Murphy told Patch. “I toured the areas and had the opportunity to see the interior of one of the areas, which are all occupied. It was evident that she was incredibly inspiring, and she expressed this to the other 30 people who participated in the tour. “
The state provided $4. 5 million for the $5. 4 million project, developed in partnership with Rockland Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit created to build housing for homeless veterans and that has operated 8 homes there for nearly a decade.
“We’re building homes for life in an adorable suburban network with other veterans as neighbors and comrades. We’re saving lives,” Murphy told Patch in November.
The state investment for the Western Highway in Tappan comes from the New York State Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program.
The nonprofit has also won many other grants and contributions, Murphy said. This has allowed Homes for Heroes to double the number of apartments in the complex, but also to furnish them all. The names are on the website’s donor wall. .
“Everything from a spoon to a logo, a new bed with a mattress, sheets, pillows. And there will be food in the refrigerator. It will be a HOME,” he said.
The Homes for Heroes Veterans Apartments were built on land granted through the federal government specifically for this purpose. The former Camp Shanks in Orangetown was the largest embarkation camp used during World War II by the United States Army.
Supportive Housing is helping homeless veterans in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan and Westchester counties.
“Homelessness and lack of housing confidence require a holistic strategy that connects vulnerable New Yorkers to housing, but also to facilities that help them find a strong life in their communities,” Hochul said. “We have a legal responsibility to provide an indispensable facility for our veterans who have done so much to maintain our country and advance the cause of freedom around the world. “
The state included $3 million from the Office of Temporary Assistance and the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program for the Disabled, $1. 5 million from the New York State Community Housing and Housing Renovation Trust Fund, and $49,000 from NYSERDA.
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance also provides operational investments through its Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative. Supportive services, provided through the on-site Loeb House and through other network agencies, include case management, pre-employment training, physical care and services. coordination to add tenant and veteran remedy providers.
“Supportive housing is an essential and proven tool to help stabilize the lives of other homeless individuals, offering them access not only to safe and affordable housing, but also to the relief facilities they desire to thrive,” said the Commissioner. of the Office of Temporary Aid and Assistance for the Disabled. Barbara C. Guinn said, “Homes for Heroes apartments for veterans meet a vital need among veterans in Rockland County and the region. “
“These much-needed housing developments are a welcome addition to Rockland County,” said State Senator Bill Weber. “This is a wonderful accomplishment for Homes for Heroes, which makes selfless paintings for our veterans, and that’s exactly why I was honored. to induct its founder, John Murphy, into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame of Senate District 38 earlier this year.
Read one of Murphy’s columns about historic Camp Shanks and the origins of Rockland Homes for Heroes, a very informal verbal exchange about 7 acres of history in Tappan. Discover all of his Patch columns here.
Get more news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for alerts and newsletters about loose patches.