Veterans Day 2016 – Pinellas County Housing Authority Honors Veterans
Veterans Day is a day to honor America’s Veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. The Pinellas County Housing Authority is honored to provide housing and/or rental assistance to over 500 Veterans in our community through a variety of programs.
“In honor of Veterans, the Pinellas County Housing Authority has made serving and providing housing to Veterans one of the agency’s highest priorities” said Angela Rouson, Chair, Board of Commissioners.
PCHA provides housing assistance to formerly homeless Veterans in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center with the ultimate goal of ending Veteran homelessness.
Veterans reside throughout PCHA’s affordable and assisted communities, and PCHA’s Housing Choice Voucher waiting list remains open at all times for Veterans.
At PCHA’s Magnolia Gardens assisted living community in Pinellas Park, veterans receive assistance with the activities of daily living, all meals, community activities and transportation. A special “Honor Flight” presentation will be held on Wednesday, November 30th at 3:00 PM at Magnolia Gardens, which is located at 3800 62nd Avenue North in Pinellas Park. Honor Flight’s mission is to transport America’s Veterans to Washington, DC to visit the memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. The event is free and open to the public.
Several Veterans have purchased their own homes through PCHA’s Homeownership Program. Recently PCHA featured a story of a local Veteran, Mr. David Griffith, who, with the assistance of the HUD-VASH program and PCHA’s Homeownership Program, went from homelessness to homeownership. Another inspiring example of a Pinellas County Veteran achieving homeownership through PCHA’s program is the story of Mr. Jack Powell. After being involved with the Housing Choice Voucher Program for many years, Mr. Powell, an honorably discharged Army Veteran, attended and participated in financial and budgeting workshops, as well as first-time homebuyer classes. Soon, he too, was on his way to owning his own home. Today, Mr. Powell says he “loves every bit of homeownership” and he encourages others to work toward owning their own home.
For the complete history and significance of Veterans Day please visit the Veterans Administration website at https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
PCHA offices will be closed on November 11th in honor of Veterans Day.