PITTSBURGH − APRIL 26, 2022 − Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard (Veterans Place) announced today that it has been awarded a $2 million grant from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), to construct a multi-purpose building to include handicap-accessible apartments (ADA-compliant), a wellness center, and additional space for behavioral health and other supportive services. This project will expand Veterans Place’s ability to continue to meet the unmet needs of homeless veterans including female veterans, the aging veteran population, and veterans with disabilities.
Veterans Place’s mission is to empower veterans’ transition from homeless to home, ending the cycle of homelessness, and to assist all at-risk veterans to become engaged, valuable citizens who contribute to their communities. Since 1996, Veterans Place has remained committed to providing life-sustaining services to veterans in the southwestern Pennsylvania region. This project continues to demonstrate Veterans Place’s and the region’s commitment to ensuring that no veteran is left behind.
“Thanks to the support of Senator Lindsey Williams, Senator Jay Costa, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Governor Tom Wolf, the award of this RACP grant and the construction of this new three-story building will serve as an expansion for us to meet the needs of the expanding population of homeless veterans,” said Veterans Place Executive Director Rob Hamilton.
“As a veteran who has previously experienced homelessness, these services provide the ability for veterans to find a safe place where they will have the support to work toward living a successful life.” Hamilton continued.
The ADA-compliant building will feature eight new housing units on the top two floors. Behavioral health services and physical activity space for veterans will be provided on the first floor. The project will allow Veterans Place to expand homeless veteran services and address the barriers that veterans face every day.
“…Veterans Place does amazing work every single day by serving our military heroes as they transition to civilian life and navigate the unique challenges facing our Veterans,” said Pennsylvania Senator Lindsey Williams (D). “…Veterans have given so much to all of us and I’m overjoyed that Pennsylvania will be investing these critical state dollars to care for them.”
“It’s through the support of the community that we are able to provide veterans with the quality services that they deserve and move closer toward our mission of ending veteran homelessness,” said Hamilton. “We look forward to sharing our vision with the community as we establish partnerships and ongoing funding support to advance our mission.”
For more information about Veterans Place, please visit https://www.veteransplaceusa.org
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