Our Campaign
Background
In November 2013, we completed Phase I of our master plan.
This entailed the construction of 8 permanent, affordable supportive housing units on the historic 7½-acre property known as Camp Shanks during World War II.
Phase I proved to be an enormous success. Lives were changed, hopes renewed and new futures written.
The next chapter
Phase II calls for the development of an additional 14 supportive housing units on the property by July of 2021. These new apartment-style units will include:
- 1-bedroom units (700 square feet each)
- Universal design optimized for individuals with disabilities, including mobility, hearing and visual impairment
- Each unit includes its own kitchen and bathroom and washer/dryer
- All apartments will be Energy Star efficient and use green building methods to reduce energy consumption
Phase III, the final phase of the project, aims to further improve the lives of our veteran residents through a new range of ideas and visions for the development of our property which are soon to be announced.
Our Appeal for Support
RH4H is appealing to all members of its service community – from businesses and families to public officials at all levels of government – for their contributions to the 2nd and 3rd Phases of the project.
The $2,000,000+ cost to develop RH4H’s first 8 units was covered primarily by Government Grants. In addition, people from all walks of life contributed their time, money and – in many cases – basic construction materials, to ensure the success of the project.
Our goal for Phase 2 and 3 is to raise $5.2 million over the next 3 years for the construction of 14 new supported housing units (approximately $350k per unit).
Moreover, RH4H has an immediate objective to raise the necessary funds to cover pre-construction costs, including engineering studies, architectural fees and site preparation.
We have been awarded $4.2 Million by the New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance and $280,000 from our local Sterling Bank through the Federal Home Loan Bank, which has enabled us to start the Project — hoping we can raise the difference from our Rockland Community, which is so supportive of our mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are striving very hard to add just 14 more Apartments to our current very successful 8 apartments to serve the Veterans served by the Veterans Administration Hudson Valley Care System which is headquartered in Montrose. We think having only 22 apartments on our 7 acres will maintain its park-like feeling.
As per USA Today, at least 2,443 American service members have died in operations Enduring Freedom and Freedom’s Sentinel. More than 3,800 U.S. contractors and Defense Department civilians have been killed. At least 47,000 Afghan citizens, and about 66,000 Afghan military and police members, died, as well as 1,144 allied troops. Even more staggering are the numbers of American warriors who returned home with injuries both seen and unseen. Over 30,000 active duty personnel and war veterans of post-9/11 conflicts are estimated to have died by suicide—four times the number that died in combat.
