Patchogue veteran assistance program gives Middle Island woman new home
An Army veteran is starting a new life with help of a Patchogue veteran
assistance organization.
Tywana Key
enlisted in the Army to help fight in the war against terrorism
immediately after the Twin Towers collapsed on Sept. 11.
“I actually ran to the recruiters office after 9/11,” says Key.
The veteran and mother of three tells News 12 she found help at
Supportive Services for Veteran Families.
The program also known as SSVF helps veterans who are homeless or on the verge
of homelessness to secure permanent housing. Funds are given by the Veteran
Administration.
“We've
received about $700,000 from there and we received the second pot of CARES
money which is about $1.4 million,” says Robert O’Donnell, of Supportive
Services for Veterans Services.
SSVF has helped 175 veterans with rental payments during the pandemic thus far,
and Key is one of them.
After losing her job at the Northport VA at the start of the pandemic, the
Middle Island woman says she quickly fell behind on rent and that her
landlord threatened eviction.
“I don't feel right because I don't have the means to pay the rent…to make sure
my kids had a roof over their heads. So, I had to do something about it,” says
Key.
“There's families involved, there's spouses involved. We don't want to
see these people end up in the shelter system or on the street,” says Richard
Dellasso, of Supportive Services for Veteran Families.
As a result of SSVF’s housing assistance, Key was able to gain a new lease on
life, saying in part, “If it wasn't for them, I actually don't know how much
hope I would have been able to hold onto…You're not alone, just reach out.”
To be eligible for housing help, you must meet
the following requirements:
- Be a veteran with at least one day of active service.
- All discharge statuses are accepted, except dishonorable.
- Household income cannot exceed 50% of the area median income.
- Recipients must be homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- All discharge statuses are accepted, except dishonorable.
- Household income cannot exceed 50% of the area median income.
- Recipients must be homeless or at risk of homelessness.