Construction Kicks Off on Veterans Program
On Friday, June 10, we celebrated the beginning of construction at our Harmon Avenue Veterans Transitional Housing Program in Columbus with a groundbreaking ceremony. Special guests included U.S. Congressman Steve Stivers and former resident Gary Kubicki. The $1.3 million project will include renovations to the kitchen, bathrooms, common and living areas as well as an expansion allowing the Employment Resource Center, currently located at 567 W. Broad Street, to move onsite. The final product will result in more privacy for residents and improved access to employment support resources.
Veterans Transitional Housing & Employment Resource Center
The Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio Veterans Transitional Housing Program, located at 624 Harmon Avenue, is a 40-bed program for homeless veterans. The veterans’ residential experience is shaped through use of the therapeutic community model, considered a best practice for veterans transitional housing programs throughout the country. Veterans receive case management, financial literacy education, substance abuse treatment, job search and employment assistance and connection to Veterans Affairs physical and mental health services. There are an additional 15 beds of emergency housing for veterans.
Renovation & Expansion
The construction will add a total of 4,070 square feet to the existing 12,817 foot facility. The additional space will be broken down into living (1,203 square feet) and office (2,561 square feet) areas. The living area will feature (24) 8’x10’ double bedrooms and two 17’x24’ five-bed dorm rooms. This will provide for significantly improved privacy for veteran residents. The office space will allow the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, an employment program, to move on site, improving accessibility to veteran clients.
Various areas in the existing facility will be updated during the expansion. Consideration has been given to green building techniques through the utilization of natural light, window coating and insulation. Renovations will include: kitchen, laundry, bathrooms, windows, skylights, mechanical/HVAC and security system.