Pittsfield, MA: A haven for homeless veterans

[unhappycamper]

Tom Clark, a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, will be moving into a new complex in Pittsfield designed for homeless veterans. The housing (above) was begun last year with federal and state funds.


A haven for homeless veterans
By David Abel
Globe Staff / November 8, 2010

PITTSFIELD — Like too many veterans of the Vietnam War, Tom Clark has been homeless for years. Now he’s making a list of all the domestic items he will soon need — a loveseat, vacuum cleaner, an iron — and considering things he never imagined would be a concern, such as how to match his bedding with curtains.

“This is unbelievable that this is possible,’’ said Clark, 58, a former Marine corporal, as he shared his list of household items with fellow veterans from nearby shelters who will join him this month in a new, daintily manicured complex in Pittsfield.

It is the nation’s first community of its kind for homeless veterans and part of a new approach to fighting homelessness: Instead of moving those without homes into overcrowded emergency shelters or transitional places far from services, the $6.1 million project that looks like a high-end condo complex provides them with attractive one-bedroom and studio apartments for as long as they want to stay.

The new community, which was built beside a shelter for veterans and includes an array of mental health and addiction services, allows the veterans to buy in with a $2,500 deposit and, depending on the size of the apartment, make regular payments of either $640 or $740 from their disability checks or other income to an association that they run.

Local banks are helping some of the veterans cover their deposits, and others will be allowed to pay them over time. They will also build equity, and the units will be theirs as long as they make their payments.

[glowing]

1. This is good news.. Sometimes your "war" buddies are the best help in moving forward

and helping one another with coping, etc... Almost like a base, but in civilian mode. I like this a lot.

[grilled onions]

2. Let's Hope This Won't Be One Of The First Victims...

..of the slash crazy repubs who seem to think that all programs that the gov't helps is for those lazy do nothings who don't deserve a thing. I would love to see one of these vet complexes in each part of the country. These vets deserve a place to call their own. If they want to cut out unnecessary spending start with those Embassies they seem hell bent on building in every corner of the globe!

[socialshockwave]

4. It is always good

to take care of your veterans, and I'm just totally gobsmacked that many American army vets are homeless.

But don't plan on this to last; the Republicrats think there's NO PROBLEM when it comes to homeless vets.

Either way, it's a great initiative; giving them a place to stay and being generous with payment options.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Big K&R! Now we need some jobs in Pittsfield for these folks to work

I don't want to minimize the goodness of this - it's fantastic. But Pittsfield has fared poorly in the 30 year Republican/DLC siege against working America, I hope these folks can maintain jobs.

[NotThisTime]

9. You're sure right about that... It used to be a bustling place 30 years ago, even 20, not now...

[druidity33]

5. they'll be done soon...

and will be Energy Star rated too! The group Soldier On has been the instrumental force behind these homes. They're planning other projects here too!


http://www.wesoldieron.org/

what a great organization... worth donating to.

A BIG K&R!

:)

[NNN0LHI]

6. Recommended

[BlueIris]

7. ((((( Pittsfield, MA )))))

[Waiting For Everyman]

8. K&R This is the kind of ideas we need.

A lot of people need housing which is more affordable - wouldn't that be a good way to employ the out of work building sector? And maybe throw in some energy-saving materials to boot?

We have too many McMansions, and not enough for those who make less than median income. "The market" is not doing its job of directing investment where the demand is, so it would be good if government directed it there. You'd think.

It used to be that way.