Rebuilding Together Assists in Remodeling and Rebuilding Homes for Disabled Veterans; HAVEN Act Will Establish Pilot Program to Help Disabled Veterans Return to Their Homes
LA GRANGE, Ill. – May 12, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — As veterans continue to return home with service-related injuries and disabilities, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today visited a newly refurbished home in La Grange, Ill., to announce his support for S. 1387, the HAVEN Act. This bill will create a pilot program under the Department of Housing and Urban Development to enhance ongoing efforts by nonprofit organizations that repair and refurbish homes for disabled and low-income veterans. These public-private partnerships will require a 50 percent match by the organization receiving the funds.
Illinois is home to over 700,000 veterans and almost 80,000 have service-related disabilities.
“Far too many veterans return home with injuries and disabilities that make returning to civilian life a very difficult transition,” Sen. Kirk said. “The HAVEN Act will make sure that more veterans have the opportunity to return to their own homes and will ensure that we are doing all that we can to help low-income and disabled veterans stay in their homes.”
Josh Misiewicz was deployed in Afghanistan with the 5th Marine Regiment when he was injured by a landmine explosion, shattering his eardrums and causing the loss of his legs. Since the incident, he has been through rehabilitation and several surgical treatments at Walter Reed Military Hospital.
In order to accommodate Josh’s new circumstances, his mother, Nancy Misiewicz, was faced with a number of costly renovations to her home that she could ill afford. That’s where Rebuilding Together and Sears’ Heroes at Home program came in. Nancy’s home needed a roll in shower, widened doors, handicapped-accessible appliances, evened floors, and an elevator-style lift. Thankfully, non-profit and charitable organizations were there to help her.
“With Rebuilding Together’s help, we’ve turned $18 million in donations into $28 million in home value, said Ron Boire, executive vice president, chief merchandising officer, and president, Sears and Kmart formats. “Our Shop Your Way members, customers, and associates should be proud of the positive impact they’ve had on the lives of more than 19,000 veterans and military families, yet the need is still great.”
Rebuilding Together is a nationwide organization that has assisted in the remodeling and rebuilding of homes of those in need for more than 25 years. Through their network of thousands of volunteers across the country, Rebuilding Together is able to complete nearly 10,000 of these projects every year. This program helps veterans maintain their independence all while revitalizing our neighborhoods. In 2013, Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago worked with over 4,000 volunteers to repair 93 homes, improve 15 community centers, and landscape one large community space.
“As part of our long-time partnership with Sears, Rebuilding Together is honored to have helped create a safe and accessible home for Nancy, Josh, and the Misiewicz family,” said Charley Shimanski, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “We thank Senator Kirk for his service as a veteran and for cosponsoring the HAVEN Act, which will help us broaden our ability to address the growing demand for adapted housing for veterans and their families.”
Sears has raised more than $18 million over the past seven years through its “Heroes at Home” program to help refurbish the homes of more than 60 Illinois veterans and positively impact the lives of more than 19,000 veterans and military families nationwide.
“Here in Illinois, we have great private partners like Sears who have helped to refurbish over 60 veterans’ homes,” Sen. Kirk said. “The public-private partnerships that will be instituted and reinforced through this bill will enhance public-private partnerships working in the service of America’s veterans.”
Full text of the HAVEN Act can be found here.
