Southfield City Council Approves Innovative Housing Project for Veterans

Southfield Welcomes Veteran Housing Project

Southfield is buzzing with excitement after the City Council’s recent unanimous decision to convert the Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 25100 Northwestern Highway into much-needed housing for veterans. This progressive plan, approved on September 30, comes from the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families, particularly those at risk of homelessness.

Creating a Home for Heroes

The proposal aims to transform the existing 98-unit holiday inn into a long-term residence, featuring 85 permanent housing units specifically for veterans. One of the most uplifting aspects of this initiative is that veterans will pay no more than 30% of their income for housing. What’s more, the facility will provide 24/7 supportive services, including security, to ensure a safe environment for residents.

This initiative comes as a response to the alarming statistics highlighting the struggle many veterans face. According to the U.S. government, approximately 35,000 veterans are experiencing chronic homelessness nationwide, with around 2,400 veterans in Michigan alone. As Gavin Naples, the vice president of the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, explained at a meeting, this project is part of a larger commitment to eradicate veteran homelessness through their innovative program aimed at creating “Veterans Villages” across metropolitan areas with significant rates of homelessness.

Supportive Services and Rehabilitation

Naples emphasized that it’s not just about providing shelter. The Tunnels to Towers Foundation believes in offering a comprehensive platform of rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community for these heroes. He shared the foundation’s two-pronged approach, which includes developing affordable housing and providing a national case management network that assists veterans and their families facing homelessness.

“Our mission includes direct financial assistance to help veterans find suitable housing in their communities based on their specific needs,” Naples noted. This multi-layered support aims to empower veterans to regain their footing and lead fulfilling lives.

Community Response

At the public hearing for the conversion plan, community members voiced their enthusiastic support for the initiative. Southfield resident Shaunetta Stokes, who has actively volunteered with Tunnels to Towers since 2019, shared her excitement about bringing a Veterans Village to Southfield. “I think it would be a great fit within the city as well as an honor for the city,” she expressed. “It would mean so much to have this distinction of being the first city in Michigan to have a Tunnels to Towers Veterans Village.”

Stokes also pointed out that the area is well-suited for veterans, citing its well-lit surroundings, close proximity to the Police Department, and several restaurants nearby, along with accessible biking and walking trails.

City Administrator’s Endorsement

Southfield City Administrator Fred Zorn also expressed his strong backing for the project. With over 35 years of experience dealing with housing issues, Zorn shared that he has conducted extensive research on the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. “I’m thoroughly impressed not only with what this group has accomplished financially but also what they’re doing in social support services,” he said. He highlighted the pressing need for housing in Michigan, where there’s currently a shortage of 190,000 housing units.

“To be able to provide a product that caters specifically to our veterans is something to be excited about,” he declared, reinforcing the positive impact this project is bound to have on the community and its veterans.

Looking Ahead

As this project progresses, the Southfield community looks forward to becoming a pioneer in providing essential support to veterans through this innovative housing solution. The Tunnels to Towers Foundation’s commitment to creating uplifting and sustainable living conditions reflects a deep respect for the sacrifices made by military personnel while striving to reintegrate them into society.

For those interested in learning more about the Tunnels to Towers Foundation and its mission, visiting their website can provide further insights into their remarkable work.