Tunnel to Towers: Providing Housing for America’s Heroes

Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

Luis Menendez, director of construction at Tunnel to Towers Homeless Veterans Program, joins host Carol Morgan for this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. In this podcast segment, Menendez discusses the upcoming Atlanta Veteran Village. Tunnel to Towers founded its Homeless Veterans Program in 2022 with the goal of ending Veteran homelessness nationwide. The foundation recently broke ground in Mableton and looks forward to providing permanent housing for Veterans across the metro Atlanta area. What is the Atlanta Veteran Village, and how does it benefit Atlanta’s Veterans? Tunnel to Towers recently acquired an abandoned hotel and began renovations this year to transform it into the Atlanta Veteran Village, a permanent housing opportunity for Veterans in need. The hotel is situated in a prime location near local transportation and VA services. “Our projects focus on providing that core foundation, which is a dignified home they can call their own,” said Menendez. “They make a choice to come into our residences. They pay rent, so there is some skin in the game. It's minimal rent and predicated on the amount of income that each Veteran can make.” Atlanta Veteran Village is expected to be completed next year, and it will provide opportunities for 93 Veterans to enjoy permanent housing and supportive services. What other projects are available for Veterans through Tunnel to Towers? Tunnel to Towers has housing projects throughout the country, stretching from Buffalo, New York, down to Florida. It also supports Veterans between projects with its national case management network, which offers various services such as monetary contributions for rent, legal services and workforce advisory. Menendez said, “It's not just the housing support that we provide in our Veterans Villages, but also more soft services of bringing in the Veteran wherever they may be and keeping them housed where they're at by providing those service around them to help them meet their goals.” Like its Veteran Village in Houston, Texas, Tunnel to Towers will implement a ground-floor resource center for residents at Atlanta Veteran Village. The foundation aims to provide Veterans with workplace development assistance that teaches them how to write resumes, interview and utilize skills learned in the military for new jobs. In Pennsylvania, Tunnel to Towers is looking to partner with a local contract group that teaches veterans various trades – carpentry, electrical, mechanical and plumbing - that put them one step closer to fulfilling careers. It is also seeking metro Atlanta contractors to work alongside residents after the Atlanta Veteran Village opens next year. What is the process for residency at the Atlanta Veteran Village? The Veteran Village welcomes Veterans of all ages to apply. Residents must be honorably discharged and have a clean record, both of which are evaluated during the screening process. “They have this certain brotherhood that they stick together, so if one goes, the other goes. Otherwise, they both may not go,” said Menendez. “So, it's something that if there is that partnership amongst the Veterans and they are very close together in that brotherhood through word of mouth, we're certain that they'll come to the realization that, ‘Hey, this is a good opportunity for me to get back on my feet.’” Since the facility only offers single-occupancy housing, Veterans with families are encouraged to utilize the national case management network to find housing opportunities that allow them to stay together. Tune in to the full interview above to learn more about the Atlanta Veteran Village. Learn more about Tunnel to Towers Homeless Veterans Program at www.T2T.org. About Tunnel to Towers Tunnel to Towers was founded in honor of Stephen Siller, a New York firefighter who heroically gave his life to save others during the events of 9/11. His family created the foundation to honor his legacy and serve others,