Broward Housing Solutions® Receives VeteranWINSSM Grant From Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) today donated a $15,000 VeteranWINSSM Grant to Broward Housing Solutions® (BHS®) in support of the nonprofit organization’s repair of the ‘Home for the Brave, amour-unit apartment complex located at 1860 Southeast 4th Street in Pompano Beach, Florida.
The grant is part of $100,000 in grants awarded across six nonprofits through its 2016 VeteranWINS SM program. Opened its doors on November 11, 2012 ‘Home for the Brave,’ provides safe, permanent and affordable housing to veterans, who are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Severe Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI).
The ‘Home for the Brave’ complex provides homes to four mental health consumers in three one-bedroom units and one efficiency apartment, featuring granite counter tops, tile floors and cherry wood cabinetry. While on the street, these veterans will often times seek medical aid and/or shelter in emergency rooms at a rate of $350-$650/day or in jail at $121 per night. Unfortunately, these expenses will be absorbed by taxpayers due to the homeless person’s inability to pay. Broward Housing Solutions®’ affordable housing programs address this social issue by housing formerly homeless or low-income and mentally ill veterans for only $38.62 a day.
While this program will serve all individuals who struggle with mental illness, Broward Housing Solutions® targets the housing needs of homeless veterans. Broward Housing Solutions® owns and operates 19 properties across Broward County for all populations such as foster youth, adults, seniors, and veterans, suffering from mental illness. Rent is charged at an average of $225 a month, or 30% of a person’s monthly income. Eighty-seven percent of the current residents, comprised of 361 adults with their children, were formerly homeless.
“Broward County has one of the highest homeless veteran populations in the state, with almost one third suffering from mental illness,” said Lisa A. Vecchi, CEO of Broward Housing Solutions®. “We remain committed to providing homes for all who struggle with mental illness, but we have a special place in our hearts for veterans, who have bravely served our country and who have difficulties returning home. This population is in need, and the fit is perfect for us to reach out and help. Remember, these men and women have allowed millions of American families to keep their homes in a free and safe land. It’s time to return the favor. ”
Broward Housing Solutions®, a community-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization and Certified Housing Development Organization (CHDO), steps in by providing permanent and supportive rental housing to mental health consumers through its Affordable Rental Housing Program. It also assists with rent payments through its Rental Subsidy Program, provides housing to aged-out foster adults, through Housing Solutions for Young Adults, chronically homeless senior citizens, through Senior Solutions, and helps consumers become homeowners through its Lease-to-Buy program. For more information, or if you would like to make a donation, please visit www.BrowardHousingSolutions.org or call 954-764-2800.