Homeless Veterans

National Equity Fund is building on its extensive experience in structuring and financing supportive housing to focus time, talent and resources on the growing problem of homeless veterans. Estimates from HUD conservatively put the number of homeless vets on the street at any one time at 140,000, representing one-fifth of the nation's homeless population.

NEF, Inc. has partnered with veterans organizations and other veterans experts to promote the development of supportive housing for homeless veterans on both private lands and VA land. These alliances are very valuable in helping our development partners move forward with development efforts. Get more information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Hope Manor Apartments

Hope Manor Apartments is a 50-unit building on Chicago's west side that provides supportive housing and social services to homeless veterans. The project is sponsored by Volunteers of America Illinois, a subsidiary of Volunteers of America national services.

The four-story building offers 30 studio, 10 two-bedroom, and 10 three-bedroom residences, all fully furnished, with the two- and three-bedroom residences rented to unrelated individuals, a practice that has proven effective in special needs housing for veterans. NEF, Inc. contributed $8.8 million toward the $15.2 million project through the syndication of low-income housing tax credits.

The development is designed with a generous amount of space for both community activities and the administration of social services for residents. VOA of Illinois occupies nearly 3,000 square feet of office space on the ground floor from which its team provides services such as case management, support groups, a food pantry, emergency assistance, financial literacy classes, employment assistance and computer training. Amenities include a fitness room, two lounge areas, laundry room on each floor, resource/activities room, conference room, bicycle room and rooftop deck. VOA of IL also has plans for a second phase of Hope Manor to be located on Chicago's south side.

St. Leo Residence for Veterans

There are an estimated 18,000 homeless veterans in metropolitan Chicago but very little affordable housing options to meet their needs. St. Leo Residence for Veterans opened its doors in 2007 to address that need. It was the first project funded under NEF's Homeless Veterans Initiative. The $20.2 million dollar project is now home to 141 residents who have access to an adjacent heath and employment center.

Sponsor: Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation

For more information about how to prevent and end homelessness in America, please visit the National Coalition for the Homeless website at www.nationalhomeless.org.