There are 47,000 homeless military veterans in the U.S.
Today, 22 will kill themselves.
Of the 20 million military veterans living in the United States, almost 47,000 of them will be homeless this very night.
Sadly, each day 22 of these military heroes take their own lives.
After years of serving their country, too many of our veterans return home to face a new struggle: with depression, addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. Many also cope with life-changing injuries, including amputations and traumatic brain injury.
The alarming numbers behind veteran homelessness
It is time for a change
Our single objective: eliminate veterans homelessness
Rockland Homes for Heroes (RH4H) has a single objective: to eliminate veterans’ homelessness in the Mid-Hudson Counties of Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester.
In November of 2012, RH4H officially opened its first 8 apartment-style housing units at 335 Western Highway in the hamlet of Tappan, NY. This supported long-term community-based housing is linked to a range of targeted support services (including counselling, education/skills development, addiction treatment and job-readiness training).
With the ongoing and successful operation of these first units, we have now embarked on Phase 2 of the project. This Phase will see the development of an additional 12 supporting housing units and facilities on the property.
RH4H has undertaken an aggressive campaign to secure the financial and material resources we need to help more veterans make the transition from the street to a real home.
Our Plan
Phase I of our plan, which comprised of 8 housing units for our Veterans, was completed in November 2012 and has been an enormous success. Lives have been changed, hopes renewed and new futures written.
Phase II calls for the development of an additional 12 supported housing units on the property by July of 2021.
Phase III will establish a Service Dog Training Center to help our Veterans battle loneliness and depression, while providing work and volunteer opportunities.
Phase I8 supported housing units
Eight supported housing units on 6 acre grounds of Camp Shanks, plus a community center, garden and recreational area.
Cost: $2M+
Status: Completed in Nov 2012
Phase II12 additional apartments
12 energy efficient apartments optimized for individuals with disabilities; laundry facility, mail room, maintenance/storage area
Cost: $350K per unit
Status: Raising capital
Phase IIIService Dog Training Center
Help combat depression & PTSD through pet-centered therapy, while providing veterans with work & volunteer opportunities
Cost: TBD
Status: To follow Phase II
At approximately $350k per unit, we need to raise $4.2 million over the next 3 years for the construction of these 12 new supported housing units. This includes an immediate objective to raise $1,000,000 to cover pre-construction costs, including engineering studies, architectural fees and site preparation.
