Appleton Home to Be Renovated for Veterans Housing

A first-of-its kind project is taking shape in the Fox Valley. 

by Arnaldo Rodgers

Four agencies, the V.F.W. Post 2778,  Fox Valley Veteran’s Council, Home Depot Foundation, andHousing Partnership of the Fox Cities, are partnering up to renovate a home and turn it into transitional housing for veterans. The unique aspect is that this will be a livable space, not only the veteran, but also their family.

A first-of-its kind project is taking shape in the Fox Valley. Four agencies, the V.F.W. Post 2778,  Fox Valley Veteran’s Council, Home Depot Foundation, andHousing Partnership of the Fox Cities, are partnering up to renovate a home and turn it into transitional housing for veterans. The unique aspect is that this will be a livable space, not only the veteran, but also their family.

The V.F.W. Post 2778 owns the property, and the Mike Price, the trustee for the post said they’ve wanted to do something for a long time to help veterans.  So when an opportunity presented itself, many in the community jumped on board to get a family in the house by Christmas.

The home, located at 719 W. Packard St. in Appleton, will turn into a duplex, for two veterans and their families. It will be handicap accessible. Crews will build a ramp leading into the home, as well as making the doorways larger.

One of the main goals of the project is to alleviate some stress on returning veterans.

“Typically a veteran comes back and is so concerned with family, wife spouse, children, employment that they forget about themselves,” said Jim Strong, President of the Fox Valley Veterans Council.

Joe Mauthe, the Executive Director of the Housing Partnership of the Fox Cities, said they work with about 100 families in the Valley to make sure they have a place to call home.

“This is a chance to give back and make sure we’re taking care of our veterans,” said Mauthe.

The building supplies and materials will come from a grant that a Home Depot representative applied for.

“We want to take care of the people that take care of us,” said Jessy Lundin, with the Home Depot.

Not only will Home Depot supply materials, they’ll also provide volunteers to do the work.

“This is better than I could have possibly hoped for in regards to what we wanted to do with this place,” said Mike Price with the V.F.W.

To live in the home the veteran must be honorably discharged. The agencies look at income and need to determine how long the families will stay.

“It’s something to look forward to,” said Strong. “So they don’t end up in a homeless shelter or sleeping under a bridge.”

While living in the home the veterans and families will be provided with resources to get the families on their feet. Agencies will help with paperwork, and medical needs through the V.A.

Next week, crews will begin demolishing the walls and rehabbing the house. The projected date to get the family moved in is December 18th, one week before Christmas.

If you are interested in volunteering with the rehabilitation of this project, are a veteran in need of housing, or are aware of a veteran in need of housing, please contact Lindsay Fenlon at the Housing Partnership at 920-585-8604 or [email protected].

Volunteer opportunities to help with the rehab on the home are available on December 2nd and 3rd from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.