MOUNT VERNON — Disabled veterans often have difficulty finding appropriate housing to accommodate their current needs, much less their future needs. Adaptive Homes CDC wants to change that.
Adaptive Homes’ goal is to provide home ownership at an affordable cost to disabled veterans and their families. The Westerville-based company partners with communities to build “TotalCare” prescription homes that are customized to meet the medical needs of disabled veterans at a cost less than a standard new build.
“Our ultimate objective is to place a disabled veteran where they want to live,” said Katie Steiner-Filbrun, executive director of Adaptive Homes.
The company has four home builds underway: Sunbury, Marysville, West Layfetta and Canton. Thanks to the donation of land from the estate of Clement and Bernice Hassel, the Knox County community has the opportunity to partner with Adaptive Homes on a fifth build.
The land, 473 Lakeview Heights in Apple Valley, is donated in memory of the Hassels’ son, U.S. Air Force Sgt. Clement Hassel, who passed away in January at age 64 from the effects of Agent Orange. He contracted the disease while fighting in Vietnam.
“I’m excited,” said Steiner-Filbrun. “I think it’s an ideal location. These veterans who have seen some rough stuff do better in a small town.”
Steiner-Filbrun said the homes are designed similar to the “aging in place” concept. “We start with some basic floor plans we feel will meet their needs, then make adjustments, such as a suite for a caregiver,” she said. “The veteran may not need a caregiver now, but in 10 years he or she may need one. The objective is for the veteran to live there forever.”
Veterans must meet several preliminary eligibility requirements to be considered for the program, which is open to veterans from all eras. “We do require a recommendation or referral from a past commanding officer or a local VA social worker along with a letter stating the veteran is in a position to handle home ownership,” said Steiner-Filbrun. “We primarily want to verify that the disability will allow the veteran to live in a home.”
The veteran must also meet the following requirements:
*Be honorably discharged
*Be disabled
*Have no record of violent crime
*Provide a brief description of the injury and how it occurred
*Have an income that will cover 33 percent of construction costs
“We are not a hand out, we are a hand up,” said Steiner-Filbrun, adding that if a community comes together to support the build, the veteran’s responsibility may be lower than 33 percent. “This particular property has a value starting at $150,000. That really fits someone who has a low to moderate income. A $70,000 mortgage is our target.
“We will solicit local construction companies to donate materials in kind, volunteers and churches to help build the home and accomplish the task,” she continued. “We look to the community to step up and help accomplish our goals.”
Veterans who would like to be considered for home ownership can call Steiner-Filbrun at 614-805-3706 or email info@adaptivehomescdc.org.
