Funding included in FY24 appropriations bills will support construction of new affordable housing and supportive services for aging veterans in Fauquier County
WARRENTON, VIRGINIA – The nonprofit Hero’s Bridge has been awarded $1 million to support the construction of Hero’s Bridge Village – a first-of-its-kind community dedicated exclusively to lifting aging veterans out of substandard living conditions and combating social isolation. The funding was secured by Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) as part of the FY24 appropriations bills signed into law by President Biden on Saturday.
The proposed location of the Village is within the town of Warrenton, Va., and will feature 44 cottages designed with aging in place in mind.
“I’m proud to have successfully secured $1 million for Hero’s Bridge Village to help them deliver much-needed affordable housing support for veterans in our community. We have a responsibility to care for those who have served our country when they return home, and thanks to this project led by the incredible staff and volunteers of Hero’s Bridge, more Virginia veterans in need will be able to access stable, affordable housing right here in Warrenton. I’m pleased that I can continue to bring federal funding home to our district as a member of the Appropriations Committee, and look forward to helping ensure these investments have the greatest impact possible in our community,” said Congresswoman Wexton.
“The funding secured by Congresswoman Wexton is a massive step forward in addressing the housing crisis faced by our local senior veterans,” said Molly Brooks, Founder and CEO of Hero’s Bridge. “We have a substantial senior veteran population in Fauquier County and the surrounding areas, and many of them are living in unacceptable conditions. The Hero’s Bridge Village will restore dignity and provide security to those in our community who have earned our gratitude through their military service.”
According to a survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half (nine million) of the current 16.2 million U.S. veterans are aged 65-plus. Common risk factors faced by these veterans are malnutrition, poverty, disabilities, and chronic conditions, all of which could be resolved or mitigated through affordable housing and supportive services communities, like the Village. According to census figures, more than 7,000 veterans, age 65 and older, live in the Rappahannock Rapidan Health District, which serves the counties of Fauquier, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison, and Orange.
The Village will help address the severe need for affordable housing and permanent supportive services for aging veterans in Fauquier County and the surrounding region. A primarily pedestrian community, the Village will feature a central community center with visiting physicians, faith services, and engaging activities encouraging the camaraderie veterans enjoyed during their service to help them remain in good physical, mental, and spiritual health.
“Beyond affordable housing and support services, this project will ensure that our older veterans no longer feel isolated or forgotten,” continued Brooks. “With the help of Congresswoman Wexton, we are one step closer to making that vision a reality.”
All funding secured by Congresswoman Wexton will be used exclusively for the construction of the Hero’s Bridge Village. To date, the organization has secured nearly $1.7 million in federal, state, and donated funds to support the creation of Hero’s Bridge Village. To learn more about the Village or donate, visit herosbridge.org/village.
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About Hero’s Bridge: Hero’s Bridge is dedicated to serving veterans aged 65 and older by bridging veterans to a better quality of life through age-specific and innovative programs. These services are available to heroes wherever they call home, at no expense to them or their families. For more information, please visit www.herosbridge.org.