I am writing about the "veterans’ transitional housing" planned for the Holiday Inn building at Newberry Road and I-75. It is a partnership between the Veterans Administration and the Alachua County Housing Authority (ACHA.) The ACHA is not a county organization. The county commission does appoint members of its governing board, but gives no taxpayer dollars or policy direction. It is a separate, non-profit agency. It seems at least one commissioner is confused about this.
Following a two-year analysis and property search for potential sites, they settled on the Holiday Inn building, applied for a Veterans Administration grant, and won.
This transitional housing facility is different from a homeless shelter in the following ways: Clients are motivated, self-selected individuals who are seeking counseling. The facility is their home, and each client has their own room, with bathroom. They can keep their belongings there, and they aren't turned out into the streets to wander each morning. Food is provided for them. Clients participate in a rigorous process of counseling. They're drug-tested. They must follow rules; if they break the rules, they can be expelled. Soldiers returning from the war in Iraq or Afghanistan are living with a peer group experiencing the same problems they're experiencing. This group dynamic has proven to be beneficial.
Adjacent business owners are being selfish and are primarily concerned that the facility will hurt their business. They haven't had the foresight to think that these returning soldiers can also be customers.
These men are not criminals or dangerous panhandlers, but patriots that went to war to protect the freedoms of you and me. Our freedoms come with a price and supporting our returning veterans are part of that price that anyone who calls himself a patriot should be willing to pay and then welcome them into our midst.
These men are wounded warriors and need our support, not slamming the door in their face.
If we don't use this grant as written, it will simply disappear and that would be a shame.
Linda Kemp Pollini
Melrose, Fla.
Veterans deserve our support
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