Silver Star Veterans Housing
Project Details
Client
Silver Star Veterans HousingLocation
Battle Creek, MIScale
125,000 square feetCost
$7,000,000Completion
2013Silver Star Apartments is the first low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) development in Michigan to provide permanent supportive housing to homeless veterans. Following an initial Phase 1 in 2009 that saw an overwhelming response and 100% occupancy in just 39 days, Silver Star and Medallion Management saw a need to expand the facility. Phase 2 would include more apartment spaces and put a large emphasis on creating community and educational spaces.
Objective
Outcome
New spaces have allowed the facility to accommodate the incredible response from the local community to donate goods and services. Zero Day, a non-profit organization that works to provide enhanced services to veterans, was able to have a dedicated office and staff in the new facility.
Volunteers have been able to pass along skills to veterans by using the woodworking and auto shops. Likewise, local artists have donated time to teach art and pottery classes in the multipurpose room. A new intake space for donated items has allowed food and clothing to be donated and distributed.
A dedicated food prep area and green house has helped residents learn about growing their own food, taught them cooking skills and even allowed for the opportunity to give back by donating excess food to local homeless shelters.
The computer lab, arguably the most important addition to the facility, has been helpful to veterans as they search for jobs and look for new ways to reconnect with family and loved ones.
