LTD Donates Property to the Veterans’ Housing Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Andy Vobora: 541-682-6181
Cell: 541-501-9398
Heather Buch: 541-515-2653
Lane Transit District’s recent purchase of the former Santa Clara Elementary School site came with a remnant parcel of property on Green Lane. The approximately half-acre parcel includes a house that is in need of repair. Enter the Veterans’ Housing Project (VHP).
The VHP is “a consortium of individuals, businesses, governmental agencies, non-profit agencies, service clubs, and others who work together to provide affordable rental housing for veterans and their families transitioning back into civilian life.”
In fall of 2011, Eugene, Oregon, community leaders from the City of Eugene, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Lane County Home Builders Association and St. Vincent de Paul came together to address the challenges many veterans face in making the transition to civilian life after deployment. Finding a suitable place to live can be one of the biggest barriers to successful reintegration. The VHP acquires properties at little or no cost and fixes them up through the sweat equity of volunteer individuals, professionals, businesses, public and non-profit organizations, and service clubs.
That idea has become reality very quickly, and the Veterans’ Housing Project (VHP) has completed seven homes to qualifying veterans’ families. Using financial and material donations and low-interest financing from partners, the VHP acquires and rehabilitates houses. After completion, homes are rented at substantially reduced rates for up to two years.
LTD General Manager Ron Kilcoyne noted, “It’s an honor for LTD to participate in the Veterans’ Housing Project. LTD employees are excited to participate in the volunteer effort to prepare this home for a veteran family in need of housing. We look forward to the day when all Lane County veterans will be housed.”
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