On a nondescript street in downtown Brunswick, a few blocks from the Mary Ross Riverfront Park, sits the Golden Isles Veterans Village. As yet unoccupied, the plan is slowly coming together for 30 tiny homes and a community center for homeless veterans. Billed as a “transitional community to help homeless veterans “get back on their feet” again”, the village will be a place for residents, both for housing and to also receive physical and mental health services, education and job training.
Thanks to $2.1 million from the Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, the community has just made a great leap in getting ready. The funding was part of the appropriations request from U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-GA, and will provide interior plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, heat/ac systems, furniture, bedding, and housewares for the 30 tiny homes that are already onsite.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to volunteer at and visit the Golden Isles Veterans Village on several occasions, and each time I am impressed by the quality of the homes, as well as the organization and volunteers’ commitment to providing housing for our veterans. I’m honored to represent a strong military district, and this is a critical project that will help our country’s heroes, who made an immense sacrifice in serving our nation, get back on their feet,” said Carter.
The Veterans Village is a 2-3 year program designed to counsel the long-term homeless and transition them back into the community. The program is designed to not just be a roof over their heads, but also address the factors that led to the homelessness in the first place, through mental health and education resources.
“We are so grateful and honored to be granted this money to finish the building phase of our project. The Veterans will receive services after the village is complete and these funds will take us to the finish line, enabling us to serve those that have served us as soon as possible. Thank you for your support and faith in us to do what is best for our veterans,” said Lorene Reid, President of Golden Isles Veterans Village.
The announcement from Rep. Carter’s office comes just a few days after the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta announced a grant of $270,000 for the village, awarded through the Multifamily Housing Bridge Fund in partnership with the Darien-headquartered Southeastern Bank.
“We introduced the Bridge Fund with the goal of helping projects like the Golden Isles Veterans Village reach the finish line and make more affordable housing available,” said Tomeka Strickland, Senior Vice President and Director of Community Investment Services for FHLBank Atlanta. “We are proud of how Southeastern Bank leveraged the Bridge Fund and partnered with Golden Isles Veterans Village to make a positive impact on the lives of local veterans.”
You can buy a brick to support the Golden Isles Veterans Village here.
