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HELP celebrates 63 new homes for Veterans in PA

June 30, 2010

At a Topping Off Ceremony for the HELP Philadelphia Homes/Robert Brady Sr. Veterans Center Congressman Robert A. Brady and HELP USA National Chair, Maria Cuomo Cole said that dozens of local Veterans and their families will soon call a new rental community home. The 63 unit, affordable rental units will be available to families and disabled veterans by the fall.

The Robert G. Brady Veterans Center is named after the father of Congressman Brady, who has been a strong supporter of this project and, at a national level, a supporter of the need for additional housing and services for veterans. Robert Brady Sr. served as a Sergeant in the US Marines during WWII. He retired a decorated veteran who then served for 18 years in the Delaware River Port Authority Police.

“I am tremendously proud today to pay tribute to my father who served as a Marine in WWII, and to be a part of this project that will help anchor families returning from war,” said Congressman Brady. “As soldiers, particularly women, find their way home from overseas combat they often face unique challenges finding a place to bring their families back together, and all too often the added pressure leads to broken families. My hope is that this home and community center will help ease their burden just a bit, and help bind their families once again.”

The project is being developed by HELP USA, a national non-profit developer and service provider with significant experience in developing and operating affordable housing for low income families, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and homeless populations. HELP is based in New York City, and has developed and operates similar projects in the New York metropolitan area, Newark, Buffalo, and Las Vegas.

This is HELP USA’s third project in the City of Philadelphia. HELP opened its initial project in 1998, and since that date has provided housing and services to almost 600 homeless and low income families from throughout Philadelphia.

“HELP USA is proud to announce HELP Philadelphia Homes as a national model of housing and services for veterans,” said Maria Cuomo Cole, HELP USA, Board Chair. “This innovative housing program is part of HELP USA’s national initiative to develop affordable housing with on-site supportive services for veterans across the country. Our new Philadelphia development will provide 63 apartments and the services disabled veterans and families need to lead productive lives.”

The project is a townhouse-style development with seven buildings with brick facades, off-street parking, and garden areas. There are 49 family rental units and 14 additional apartments that will provide permanent housing for veterans. The development also features the Robert G. Brady Veterans Center, a multi-service center that will provide office space for supportive services for veterans and families, a community meeting room that can be used by tenants and by local neighborhood groups, and an outdoor patio.

HELP’s local service partner for this project will be the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center (PVMSEC). PVMSEC has been working with veterans throughout Philadelphia for the past 28 years, and has experience designing and delivering a range of supportive services that meet the unique needs of homeless and disabled veterans, particularly female veterans. PVMSEC is also a national leader in providing residential & supportive services to female veterans, and the HELP project will focus on serving this important veteran population.

“HELP is providing the veterans of Philadelphia a tremendous housing opportunity with the construction of these homes,” said Marsha Four, Executive Director, Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center. “The PVMSEC is proud to be a partner in this project, working to provide assistance to the veterans who will come to call this place ‘home.’

“Many are to be thanked for making this a reality, including Congressman Bob Brady. The people of Philadelphia are very fortunate, to be represented by him.”

In addition, HELP is also collaborating with the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center, which will provide clinical and medical services to the veterans housed at the new development.

ABOUT HELP USA: HELP USA is a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant. HELP USA was founded in 1986, and has grown to become one of the largest builders and operators of service-enriched transitional and low-income permanent housing in the nation. To date, HELP USA has developed more than 2,200 units of housing and operates 30 residential sites across the country, including transitional housing for homeless adults, families, and veterans; shelters for victims of domestic violence; and permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless and low-income families.