Why the scale of repairs matters
Revitalize Milwaukee provides free critical home repairs to low-income seniors and veterans.
The condition of a home can also affect older residents’ safety. Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services data showed the state ranked first nationally for fatal falls among older adults, the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reported in 2026.
A replacement arranged through partners
At 94, Chester Hopper needed extensive work on the Milwaukee home where he has lived for nearly 40 years. The roof leaked, and squirrels had gotten inside. Crews removed four shingle layers, installed new decking and made other repairs; Apex General Contracting estimated the work would normally cost more than $20,000, according to TMJ4 News.
Neighborhood contacts sought help for Hopper, and VetsRoll Inc., Apex General Contracting and Owens Corning joined the effort, TMJ4 reported. Apex donated the labor, while Owens Corning supplied materials through its Roof Deployment Project, a program launched in 2016 that the station said had helped install more than 850 roofs for veterans. The project at Hopper’s home came at no cost to him.
Other options and projects for veterans
According to Owens Corning, its Roof Deployment Project has operated since 2016, with participating Platinum Preferred roofing contractors volunteering services and the company donating materials; more than 850 veterans have benefited. The company’s description identifies charitable partners but does not spell out additional eligibility criteria. Separately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says its disability housing grants are for veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities, and can fund home changes such as ramps or widened doorways.
Other veterans have received roofs through the national project in separate cases. WBAY, carrying WTMJ reporting, reported on April 7, 2024, that Milwaukee Navy veteran David Wujcik received a roof through a project involving Habitat for Humanity and Owens Corning. The Daily Herald reported on August 6, 2026, that Bartlett veteran Scott Hellem had received a roof through the program the prior week.
VetsRoll was co-founded in 2010 by Beloit brothers John and Mark Finnegan. In April 2024, Beloit designated a mile of Highway 51 as VetsRoll Drive, according to Rockton-Roscoe News.
Hopper’s work before the roof project
Hopper grew up in Mississippi and joined the Army at about 18, serving as a medic during the Korean War. He told TMJ4 that memories of treating wounded soldiers stayed with him, and that his grandparents helped shape his desire to help others.
After leaving the military, Hopper worked as a contractor and reroofed his own home about 20 years ago. TMJ4 reported that physical limitations now prevent him from doing all the work he once could. Over the years, he also prepared barbecue for veterans at local parks and became known for his corn and ribs.
