What do you think about opening up old buildings/barracks on bases for poor and homeless vets and base housing for vets and family?

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 13:48:46 -0400

Allowing homeless vets or financially strapped vets and even recently released veterans to use base facilities in exchange for a work type program would solve many problems and unused base housing for veterans and their families. The transition can help with the disconnect some feel when entering civilian life. Having the VA on base to assist, access to hospitals, doctors would go a long way.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 1:56 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 13:56:13 -0400

We already have some partially BRAC'd bases where some housing units have been turned into Section 8 housing for poor civies. So they could do it fairly easily in some bases.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 2:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 14:10:12 -0400

Letting something like an easy and helpful program benefit people? I think it's a great idea but the government would never sign off on it.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Aug 24 at 2016 2:28 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 14:28:09 -0400

They did something like it at March ARB in Moreno Valley Ca. It went through some non-profit organization i believe. Use old closed up barracks, refurbished them for homeless and addicted vets. Not sure of all the details. I remember seeing it a few years ago, it was near the commissary.

It is a good idea with the amount of unused housing, though i'm sure quite a bit of red tape is involved. Fort Hood (among other bases) is allowing civilian renters on base because so much housing is vacant. I'm sure struggling vets and their families would jump at that chance.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Aug 24 at 2016 2:38 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 14:38:18 -0400

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member, it's an admirable idea and on some facilities it might work and on others it would not. Fort McClellan, AL was BRAC'd and ultimately closed in 1999. The northern part of the post was ceded to the Alabama National Guard, and it is an active training facility to this day (to include Pelham Range). However, the southern portion was placed into civilian control via the McClellan Development Authority and I think there have been successes and failures on that portion of old Fort McClellan. All that to say is that despite the fact that there are many buildings on the southern portion that be usable for such a housing project, the cost to restore them would be immense and who would fund that? Also, I'm not sure that the MDA would want the buildings to be used as such.
Old Fort McClellan may be an anomaly as far as closed facilities are concerned, but I think others may be in the same boat.

Response by SGT Alan D. Garrison II made Aug 24 at 2016 3:03 PM

SGT Alan D. Garrison II — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 15:03:49 -0400

That would be a better idea than bringing Syrian refugees over and paying for them. The bases or sections not being used should house our veterans to help get them stable enough to get on their feet.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 5:33 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 17:33:55 -0400

I think it's a great idea worth strong consideration by congress. You should get a hold of your branches lobby group (for the AF its AFSA, not sure about the corps though).

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Aug 24 at 2016 8:38 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 20:38:31 -0400

I've always thought the BRAC base closures should have the housing units go to veterans and their families.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 24 at 2016 11:42 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 23:42:49 -0400

Slippery slope. Now they're housed. Now they need to eat. Then they need schools. Then they need medicine. The list goes on. So my take is if you will not deal with the Full Monty, old barracks is moot.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 25 at 2016 12:30 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 00:30:10 -0400

Sounds like a good idea until you add the VA

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Aug 25 at 2016 7:17 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 07:17:47 -0400

I like the idea. But maintenance, clean up, utility costs. There are a lot of intangibles not seen and no money to pay for them.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 9:13 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 09:13:54 -0400

This can be rather tricky. Of course a good idea but there are so many loopholes. A lot of Vets cannot prove they were in the military because of loss paperwork or flat-out lying (stolen valor). There are some vets, while they would want a place to live, they can't get themselves out of the rut they are in (drugs, drinking, etc.) which causes a barrier to having a better life.
With using old buildings/barracks, those who are to touch those up, a lot of places have to be checked for black mold, asbestos, lead paint, etc. (depending on how old the buildings/barracks are). It can cost a good penny with changes, upgrades and things like that.

Response by SFC George Smith made Aug 25 at 2016 11:39 AM

SFC George Smith — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 11:39:34 -0400

Is an absolute Travesty that there are Homeless Vets who are placed as Subordinate to the illegals immigrants and the Potentially Dangerous "Muslim Refugees"
This is a Great Idea and the Use of the Vets in assisting other Vets in healing in their wounds , Both mental and Physical.
Help the Vets settled and get them occupied in assisting with the Rehabbing of facilities for other Vets...
Once Before... I made reference to The VA Facilities in Salisbury NC, where they House and employ and provide Meals thru the Dining Facilities on the grounds of the Hospital Complex...
It's Part of the Old Soldiers and Sailers Homes Nation wide, we used to pay into each month ... There is No reason why In this day and time for any Vet's to Homeless let alone for anyone in this country hungry...
Charity starts at home ... Feed, House and Employ Americans First... Stop bringing and allowing massive Migration to the Country and Placing them on welfare ... a system that is already strained to the Point is Collapsing...
This just my NSHO
Take care out there...
Geo
DOL...

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 25 at 2016 5:05 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 17:05:07 -0400

Personally, I think that is a fantastic idea... especially with the work type exchange program. I bet there's plenty of vets who wouldn't mind feeling like their serving their country again. My favorite part about working on base is still working with Marines and being able to share stories and feel the camaraderie.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 26 at 2016 2:58 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 02:58:57 -0400

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member Are you serious? Those wooden barracks wouldf not be good enough for homeless people! Who would clean those nasty, sheet metal showers for them, if they chise to shower?

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 11:57 AM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 11:57:41 -0400

This might be a REAL viable program and with all of the feedback, brainstorming, ideas and suggestion maybe it can get off the "just talk" stage to being presented as a business plan. Wounded Warriors and other successful programs started as "just talk".