Bendetson and a team of more than 100 lay and professional volunteer designers will be designing the interiors of the furnished units to make them unique and feel like homes.
Biggest Valentine
Bendetson is hoping to give the homes to the female veterans as the “world’s biggest Valentine’s Day gift” on Feb. 14, 2015. VOALA estimates they will be ready later in the spring.
VOALA was awarded the nine acres of land, a former Navy base, through the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law that provides resources for shelter programs for homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless.
The project will have targeted services for the female veterans, such as mental heath services and child care. Four units are wheelchair accessible, and two are designed for the hearing-impaired.
“What was really intriguing and uplifting for me, is that I have female veterans calling in, saying ‘When is it going to be ready? When can me and my children move in?’” said Ward.
VOA says it hopes this will become a national model for female veterans who “valiantly served this nation with distinction and who now need our help to fortify their families and pursue their own American dreams.”
