Affordable housing unit in Phoenix opens, helps keep veterans off streets

PHOENIX — Four military veterans are getting a new lease on life this week.

Those vets are moving into newly renovated affordable housing near North 15th Avenue and West Garfield Street in downtown Phoenix after being fixed up over the by the nonprofit group Rebuilding Together.

Executive Director Dennis Flynn said the vets who are moving are those who struggle with homelessness, poverty and are often living in transitional housing, such as the Madison Street Veterans Association. Having a place to call their own is a major improvement, Flynn said.

“They were living four or five to a room, (so) this is going to be like the Taj Mahal to them,” Flynn said.

The apartments underwent a lot of work, and Flynn said it took a lot of donations and help from the community and local companies to complete the remodeling, which included new counters, appliances, floors and drywall, among other improvements.

“There (was) floor warpage. Windows were all broken out. Electrical: a handyman has been doing it; same thing with the plumbing,” Flynn said. “Nothing matches (and) everything is unique.”

Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski said it’s disconcerting to see veterans struggling with poverty, homelessness and affordable housing, so the new apartments renovated by Rebuilding Together go a long way in keeping vets off the street.

“Sometimes (veterans) just need a home base — just a house to live in and a good job — and they’re productive citizens,” Nowakowski said.

Rebuilding Together is continuing to renovate four more apartments at the same site and expects to open four more by mid-January.