COCOA, Fla. — Celebrating the first of its kind in Brevard County, Habitat for Humanity is building the first female-only veteran village in Cocoa.
- Habitat for Humanity creating 1st female veteran villages
- Fifteen percent of Brevard's population comprised of vets
- Sunshine State is home to more than 144,000 women veterans
Brevard County’s population is comprised of about 15 percent of veterans, and those living under poverty level is 1,844.
The president of Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County, M. E. Kelly, explained that the vacant lot will have six houses for female veterans. She is hoping Habitat will reduce the homeless female veteran population.
According to the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs, The Sunshine State is home to more than 144,000 women veterans, which is the third largest population in the nation.
A report by National Housing Conference and says nearly half of veterans nationwide who are single and or single mothers spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing.
Habitat offers limited-income veterans the opportunity to purchase affordable, secure, well-built homes with a zero-interest mortgage. Program requirements for qualifying applicants include 300 sweat-equity hours and completion of homeowner preparatory classes.
“They make a down payment they volunteer 300 hours, they earn their home, they pay a mortgage,” Kelly said.
There is a very specific two-year process to qualify families for Habitat housing based on three steps of criteria:
- The applicant’s level of need
- Their willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity
- Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan
One of the lucky veterans is Karla Griggs, who will be living in the first home once it’s completed.
She chose to live in the house in the middle because she wants a veteran neighbor on each side of her house. Griggs’ house will be the first one out of six to be built starting in March.
“I feel lucky I didn't end up in the street, and I have this home,” she said.
Griggs entered the U.S. Army at 17, as she wanted to see the world and leave Titusville. She entered the Bridge program through Volunteers of America in June 2018. Currently she lives in transitional housing associated with the VOA until her new home is built on Whaley Street in Cocoa.