Affordable housing for veterans and others in Menands
MENANDS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -35 Broadway is now the address of an affordable housing building in Menands. Out of the 67 units, 35 are only for homeless veterans.
Joshua Nichols was homeless in Oneonta for a couple of years. By chance, he heard about Soldier On, a nonprofit helping homeless veterans like himself and gave them a call. “They get us basically to a point of stability and just learning how to stop bad decisions and make good decisions.”
Construction started on the apartment complex back in 2023. In March of this year, veterans just like Nichols started moving into fully furnished apartments. “I didn’t think I deserved it but being a veteran and everything and them helping me is just the best thing in my life.”
Through the State, veterans pay 30% of their income for rent, ranging from nothing to $1,050. Anyone not a veteran averages $1,100 a month.
“The affordable housing need is great and it is really everywhere. We know that veterans are more likely to be homeless than regular everyday workers,” said RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of NYS Home and Community Renewal.
This complex already has all of its units rented out. Soldier On CEO Bruce Buckley told NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski that he could build another 500 apartments in Menands and over time, his team would be able to fill them with homeless veterans.
“We do outreach in shelters, we go out on the streets, we know where the veterans might hang out and then a great resource is the other veterans,” explained Buckley.
While living there, veterans have access to jobs at the complex and other community amenities like a gym and gathering space. “To form a relationship with all of the residents here and to find out what the need and help them figure out what it’s gonna be to make their lives as full as they can be,” described Dara Kovel, CEO of Beacon Communities.
Anyone who knows a homeless veteran is encouraged to contact Soldier On. The only requirement to receive help is one day of service in the U.S. military.