A college dorm unit may be repurposed for veterans
Currently there are an estimated 200-thousand homeless veterans in the United States. The President of the Shawnee Community College Foundation Buddy Walls says a college dorm in Ullin, Illinois would be a perfect fit for some of these heroes. Built in 2008, the dorm was expected to house 1-hundred-four students but never got to 50-percent occupancy. Walls tells KZIM KSIM after meeting with the Director of the Delta Center of Southern Illinois, Lisa Talbert about what to do with it – ground work to make the switch began with a trip to Washington DC. Grants in the amount of 600-dollars a month per room would be needed to care for the veterans and a commercial kitchen would have to be added. Referrals for occupancy would come from the VA Hospital in Marion, Illinois. Walls calls it “transitional housing” offering educational opportunities literally in its backyard. Ten full time jobs would be created.
Written By: kzim
Date Posted: 3/9/2010 1:12 PM
Number of Views: 210
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