25 Units of Housing for Veterans and Support Service Delivery Coming to Campus by Spring 2020
BRIGHTON, MA (June 18, 2019) — Brighton Marine, a veteran network community, announced today their efforts to bring residential housing for veterans to campus is expanding. Building on the momentum of the Residences at Brighton Marine, which will provide 102 units of veteran preference housing with various ranges of affordability, Brighton Marine has received approval for 25 studios of housing specifically designed for veterans eligible for supportive housing assistance.
“There is a critical need for Veteran supportive housing in the Greater Boston area to support and empower our most vulnerable Veterans. This newly renovated facility, funded entirely by Brighton Marine, will advance our organizational mission to serve all Veterans, regardless of their needs,” said Michael Dwyer, former President of Brighton Marine. “We would not have been able to get to this point without the help of our strategic partners, the support of the community and many others who share our vision of providing a safe home for our servicemen and women to regain their footing.”
In partnership with Boston Housing Authority, and program partner Soldier On, Brighton Marine will provide housing and supportive services to 25 eligible Veterans under the HUD-VASH program. The HUD-VA Supportive Housing program provides Veterans with comprehensive case management and wraparound services delivered on campus – including clinical health care, mental health treatment and, if needed, substance abuse counseling – that help them further their recovery while achieving housing security and independence.
“The Boston Housing Authority is proud to join Brighton Marine in this critical effort to provide much needed housing and services to Boston’s veterans,” BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle said. “The BHA and Mayor Walsh are committed to assisting our Veterans and their families their efforts to achieve the healthy, productive and stable futures that they so richly deserve.”
The continuum of care for the individual Resident Veteran will be coordinated by the case management team at Soldier On, in conjunction with Boston VA Healthcare. The program will maintain a full-time, in-house Resident Director to meet the unique needs of each resident. Each studio will come fully furnished with private kitchenettes and full bathrooms.
“Soldier On is honored and excited to work with Brighton Marine, and all of the strategic partners, in addressing veteran homelessness in the Boston community. The willingness and vision of Brighton Marine to offer its support, renovate its property and welcome veterans who are struggling with homelessness to live permanently on the Brighton Marine campus demonstrates their commitment to serve veteran’s in an effective, inclusive and truly caring manner,” said Bruce Buckley, CEO Solider On. “Soldier On has been addressing and, eliminating veteran homelessness, for 25 years in Massachusetts, the Northeast and nationally with a successful model combining outreach, programming and permanent supportive housing, but most importantly by building community. We are thrilled to be able to provide permanent housing at Brighton Marine, and serve and support this community with the programs and supportive services we know are necessary for permanently ending homelessness. We look forward to serving the Boston community.”
The renovated studios will be ready for occupancy in the Spring of 2020.
About Brighton Marine
A vital social service presence since 1940, Brighton Marine’s mission is steeped in the battlefield creed now being used at home – not leaving anyone behind. With a goal of serving as a one-stop network hub for resources for veterans and their families, Brighton Marine hosts 10 organizations that provide medical care and health services for military, veterans and non-military personnel. Along with helping veterans and their families find housing, Brighton Marine serves as the coordination center for electronic referrals from software that connects veteran service providers to coordinate care virtually, track outcomes, improve access, increase collaboration, and enables communities to provide more comprehensive levels of service. Lastly, Brighton Marine is heavily invested in the community – providing support to local high school students, partnering with other local veteran-based organizations, the Red Cross and Toys for Tots, and funding beautification projects in Brighton.
About Soldier On
Soldier On is a nationally recognized non-profit organization governed by a full-time President, CEO and a volunteer Board of Directors. We work in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies to provide veterans with shelter and support in an environment that offers dignity, integrity, and, most importantly, hope. Our mission is to offer a continuum of care that includes immediate and long-term housing with services delivered where they live. Soldier On’s ultimate goal is to provide formerly homeless veterans with permanent, supportive, sustainable housing – assisting them in their transition from homelessness to homeownership.