House of Our Heroes: A Veteran's Village

• Veterans are 50% more likely to become houseless than other Americans due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismissed living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.

• About 1.5 million veterans are considered at-risk of houselessness. At risk is defined as being below the poverty level and paying more than 50% of household income on rent. It also includes households with a member who has a disability, a person living alone, and those who are not in the labor force.

• Research shows that the greatest risk factors for houselessness are lack of support and social isolation after discharge. Veterans have low marriage rates and high divorce rates; currently 1-in-5 veterans is living alone. Social networks are particularly important for those who have a crisis or need temporary help.

• Nearly half a million (467,877) veterans are severely rent burdened and paying more than 50% of their income for rent. More than half (55%) of veterans with severe housing cost burden fell below the poverty level and 43% receive food stamps. (Source from https://greendoors.org/facts/veteran-homelessness.php)

• 2-3 veteran residents die each year from exposure to the elements in Central Oregon.

• Many veterans in Central Oregon served in the Vietnam War and are in their 70s. The youngest serving members from the Vietnam War are 65. Accessibility to and within facilities is an increasingly critical need.

Very soon we will be starting a GoFundMe in order to collect donations. There you will be able to follow the phases and progress. We will be posting updates to the project and associated timelines. As the project progresses, we will also begin to include more media so you can see what your dollars are doing to improve the lives of veterans and stop the growing statistics.

But you don't have to wait until then in order to donate. You can already search for us on GoFundMe and donate, or, you can scroll below and donate via Paypal.