HUD grant to revitalize CDC will help vets stay in homes

Oct. 9, 2019 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

Congressman Richard Neal spoke with Mary and Lonnie Chappell at the announcment of the federal grant received by Revitalize CDC.
Reminder Publishing photo by G. Michael Dobbs

SPRINGFIELD – Revitalize CDC made a difference to Lonnie Chappell and his wife, Mary, and now thanks to a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant, the Springfield-based non-profit will make a difference for 51 other veterans seeking to stay in their homes.

Elected officials gathered at Chappell’s home at 38 Ferncliff Ave. on Oct. 1 for the announcement that Revitalize CDC had received a three-year grant from HUD for $730,000, only one of 10 awarded nationally, Colleen Loveless, the organization’s executive director, explained.

The grant will fund the repair and rehabilitation of the homes of 51 veterans statewide, she noted.

The grant will allow “us to get more in-depth, quality rehabs,” she added.

Chappell, a Marine Vietnam War veteran, received help at his home two years ago, something his wife Mary said allowed the couple to stay in their home.

“If it wasn’t for Revitalize, we wouldn’t be here now,” she said.

Congressman Richard Neal was present for the announcement and said that helping vets live in their own home as long as possible was a “federal obligation.”

He noted that World War II vets are in their 90s, Korean War vets are between 70 and 80 and Vietnam vets are past 60. There are now 1 million more vets from the war in Afghanistan.

“This is the real opportunity to honor these obligations,” Neal said.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said, “This is what it’s all about. This is the right thing to do. This is the decent thing to do.”

Although the details of the application process still have to be finalized by HUD, Loveless said there has been interest expressed by 100 veterans.

She said the motto of the program is “It’s our time to serve.”

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