- Veterans East, a 100-unit apartment
community, provides onsite support services to help ensure veterans
have greater access to health, education and job-training
programs
- Funding received from many
public-private partners, including $5.2 million from UnitedHealth
Group and $7.7 million in deferred loan funds from Minnesota
Housing
An important milestone was reached today in helping end
homelessness among military veterans in Minnesota with the opening
of Veterans East, a new 100-unit apartment community adjacent to
the Veterans Hospital near Fort Snelling.
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Congressman Erik Paulsen and Patty
Horoho, CEO of OptumServe, UnitedHealth Group's military health
services business, present a "Welcome Home Basket" donated by
UnitedHealth Group employees to newly moved-in resident Arthur
Williams at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Veterans East, a new
100-unit apartment community for veterans struggling with
homelessness (Photo: Greg Page).
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, newly moved-in veterans, many
of whom have struggled with homelessness, thanked community leaders
and development partners for helping to bring Veterans East to the
city, and providing new hope for struggling veterans through
greater access to affordable housing, health services, education
and job training programs.
“It’s hard to believe that I finally have a place of my own,”
said Nathaniel Green, a veteran who served in the U.S. Navy for six
years. “I appreciate all who have made this possible and for caring
about veterans like me. This is a new start that has taken a heavy
burden off my shoulders, helping bring stability and hope into my
life.”
The five-story apartment community features a lobby with
security, community room with gas fireplace, kitchenette, computer
stations, laundry facility and on-site parking. BDC Management
Company will work with an on-site service coordinator to assist
with health care, life skills, financial management, benefits
assistance, education and employment resources.
Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-3) said: “Minnesota’s veterans and
heroes have sacrificed for our nation, and we have a responsibility
to ensure that they have the support and resources needed when they
come home. A large part of that support includes safe, affordable
housing, and Veterans East will mean a better life for these
residents.”
Developed by the Community Housing Development Corporation
(CHDC), funding for the $14.3 million community was secured through
a collaboration of public- and private-sector partners.
Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) was the largest
private investor, providing $5.2 million in equity through a
partnership with Minnesota Equity Fund and Cinnaire, using Low
Income Housing Tax Credits approved by the state. Minnesota Housing
provided $7.7 million in deferred loan funds for the new
development. The Veterans Administration is providing a 50-year
lease to the project for the land.
Additional partners and funding sources include $500,000 from
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines; $350,000 from Hennepin
County; $260,000 from CHDC affiliates; and $290,000 in energy and
sales tax rebates. Watson-Forsberg is the general contractor, and
LHB is the architect.
“Supporting the health and well-being of our nation’s veterans,
service members and their families is critically important to our
national security,” said Patty Horoho, CEO of OptumServe,
UnitedHealth Group’s military health services business, and former
Army Surgeon General and retired Army Lt. General. “We are grateful
for the opportunity to be a partner in Veterans East, whose vision
now is met with the ability to provide stable, affordable housing
and access to care and services to help veterans live healthier
lives.”
Minnesota Housing Commissioner Mary Tingerthal, who co-chairs
the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, said: “This new
community is a model for providing permanent housing and services
for military veterans and brings us much closer to ending
homelessness among military veterans in our state. This wouldn’t be
possible were it not for the public and private partners coming
together to make a tremendous impact.”
According to the latest available figures, efforts to reduce
homelessness in Minnesota are making a positive impact. Since
2014, homelessness has been reduced by 8 percent statewide and 20
percent for families with children. The state has also strengthened
efforts to end veteran homelessness. Since 2010, homelessness among
Minnesota’s veteran population has been reduced by 61 percent.
“Veterans East is a testament to the power of public-private
partnerships in Minnesota,” said Elizabeth Flannery, CEO of CHDC.
“There are steps we can take to ensure that no veteran in this
state goes without a roof over their head – and this is one of
them. We are proud to join together with so many partners to help
end veteran and chronic homelessness.”
“The men and women who will live at Veterans East have made many
sacrifices while serving our nation, and Veterans East will provide
housing and support services to help lift them up,” said Kurt
Thielen, associate director, Minneapolis VA Health Care System.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Veterans East was renamed
“Richard A. Brustad Homes” in honor of CHDC founder Dick Brustad,
who passed away earlier this year. His thoughtful leadership and
guidance to policymakers, lenders, neighborhoods and government
entities have been instrumental in making the Twin Cities and
greater Minnesota a national leader in affordable housing. Brustad
helped develop the CHDC-owned Veteran’s Community Housing
Apartments, built in 2006, and was essential to the creation of
Veterans East.
Military veterans who are employees of UnitedHealthcare and
Optum joined MEF and Cinnaire to deliver 100 welcome baskets filled
with household goods, personal hygiene items and healthy food for
each of the new residents.
“MEF and Cinnaire are proud to work together with UnitedHealth
Group in supporting our veterans,” said Warren Hanson, MEF
president and CEO. “Our partnership will help meet a critical need
to provide struggling military veterans with quality, permanent
housing with supportive services.”
Since 2011, UnitedHealth Group has provided more than $350
million in financing for 56 affordable housing communities in 14
states, helping create more than 1,300 homes for individuals and
families. This includes investing nearly $62 million in partnership
with MEF and Cinnaire to build 10 new affordable-housing
communities and 500 affordable homes in Minnesota and the Great
Lakes region.
“Veterans East is a welcome addition to Hennepin County and the
greater Minneapolis area,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Peter
McLaughlin. “Today’s opening represents a model public-private
partnership that will make a significant difference in the lives of
so many veterans.”
More information about Veterans East and other
affordable-housing communities built and managed by CHDC in
Minnesota, as well as applications for residents, is available at
www.chdcmn.org.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170920006390/en/
CHDCElizabeth Flannery, 612-332-6264orMinnesota
HousingMegan Ryan, 651-297-3566orUnitedHealth GroupLynne
High, 952-979-5861orMEF/CinnaireWarren Hanson,
651-221-1997 x107
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