Massachusetts veterans are set to receive a new lease on life, quite literally, with the groundbreaking of 44 affordable homes in Winchendon. The Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center's (MVOC) project marks the culmination of six years' planning and the beginning of the actual development work, transforming the historic Streeter and Poland school buildings into a residential community for those who have served. The initiative is part of Governor Maura Healey's End Veteran Homelessness (EVH) campaign, which has made significant strides towards reducing veteran homelessness in the state.
Financial muscle for the MVOC project came through a combined $10.5 million in capital funding from the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC), as reported by mass.gov. The homes are not just a place to stay; they represent a critical infrastructural investment aimed at providing veterans with the support and dignity they deserves.
"Today’s groundbreaking shows what is possible when we work together to deliver results for veterans," Governor Maura Healey stated, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of state and local partners, as per a report by mass.gov. Further, Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago highlighted the significance of housing stability in saving lives, a sentiment echoed by HLC Secretary Ed Augustus who pointed to the larger vision of ensuring no Massachusetts veterans live without shelter.
The project promises not only housing but comprehensive on-site support services, including case management and mental health counseling. "This project moves our work forward and brings us closer to a Commonwealth where no veteran experiences homelessness," Jon Santiago told mass.gov. According to the same source, MVOC Executive Director Dr. Stephanie Marchetti thanked the state partners and the community for helping reach this significant milestone.
In the past 18 months, Governor Healey’s campaign has successfully housed over a thousand veterans and reduced unsheltered veteran homelessness by more than 25 percent, signs of a strong policy in action. The EVH campaign continues to push for partnerships and community-based developments, with the MVOC project being one of the largest to date.
