Veterans Today: Purple Heart Homes and Citi Provide Housing Solutions

and support for Service Connected Disabled Veterans and their families. A collaboration between Purple Heart Homes and Citi to provide housing solutions for service connected disabled veterans, will mean that a number of military veterans and their families will soon be able to start new lives in their homes. Starting this month, with former US Army Corporal Hamilton Kinard and his family, who moved into a fully renovated new home in Claxton, Georgia, Purple Heart Homes and Citi are helping injured returning troops begin the next phase of their lives with modified housing and support they need. Under the program, Citi works with Purple Heart Homes to identify properties in its REO inventory, that are in locations in which a service connected disabled veteran is in need of a housing arrangement that accommodates his or her injury related challenge. Purple Heart Homes then works with third party contractors to modify homes, based on the needs of the individuals and their families. Corporal Kindard, who sustained multiple injuries from an IED explosion, while serving in Iraq, is living with the challenges of traumatic brain injury (TBI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cervical strain, hearing loss and degenerative disc disease. The Kinards' new five bedroom, single story ranch has been modified with wider doorways and hallways, a handicap accessible bathroom, and a new kitchen. As part of their assimilation back into civilian life, Corporal Kindard and his wife will also participate in a new mentor ship program, that will provide training on home maintenance and money management, as well as financial counseling and career guidance. "Both Purple Heart Homes and Citi recognize that service connected disabled veterans who have served our country need homes that can be modified and adapted to provide them with a safe, barrier free living environment," says John Galina, Co-founder of Purple Heart Homes. "In addition, they need training and the support of mentors to thrive in their new communities and civilian lives." When disabled veterans move into their newly decorated homes, the community plays a vital role by welcoming new families, and provide a crucial and immediate sense of belonging. Purple Heart Homes recruits and engages members of each community to volunteer with painting, landscaping, and gardening tasks, as well as raising funds to help cover the costs of the home modifications, which average $70,000 per property. Purple Heart Homes recipients are also encouraged to reciprocate, by getting involved in local volunteer opportunities.