A development for at-risk and formerly homeless veterans and their families has taken a big step forward in Maryland.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has closed financing for the second phase of HELP Perry Point Veterans Village in Perryville. The department will administer more than $23 million to support the creation of an additional 77 homes on the campus of the Perry Point Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.
“To honor their sacrifice and their service, Maryland’s veterans deserve the highest level of care and support, and that includes a roof over their head,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “This investment will functionally double the number of homes at HELP Perry Point Veterans Village, expanding access to stable housing and supportive services for veterans and their families threatened by homelessness.”
When completed, HELP Perry Point Veterans Village Phase II, which features permanent supportive housing, will more than double the capacity of the community.
The approximately $23 million administered by DHCD includes funding from federal low-income housing tax credit equity, the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program, and bond financing. Supported primarily by solar power, the department also provided funds to ensure the community’s continued energy efficiency.
“Housing is a human right. No one in Maryland should have to experience homelessness, especially our veterans who sacrificed for this country,” said DHCD secretary Jake Day. “HELP Perry Point Veterans Village provides a safe space for veterans and their families to take the time to transition from chronic homelessness and acquire the tools to achieve future security and success.”
HELP Perry Point Veterans Village is part of the 400-acre VA Maryland Health Care System property at the confluence of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay in Cecil County. Served by ample public transportation, its location provides veteran residents with easy access to the Perry Point VA Medical Center and other VA services ranging from case management and life skills training to mental health care and psychotherapy.
Opened in 2018, HELP Perry Point Veterans Village is sponsored by HELP USA, and its nonprofit affiliate, HELP Development Corp., will serve as lead developer for this second phase of construction. Founded as a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York, in 1986, HELP USA seeks to fight back against homelessness at every stage with prevention, emergency shelter, supportive services, and permanent, affordable housing efforts. HELP USA operates more than 70 sites and programs across the country and has supported nearly 550,000 people.
“Securing public investment marks an important milestone in our commitment to ensuring that veterans and families who have experienced homelessness have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing,” said David Cleghorn, president and CEO of HELP Development Corp.