Veterans Village opened in 2023 as a way to serve veterans dealing with homelessness and housing insecurity.
But after a recent fire, many residents were displaced and their homes have been heavily damaged.
The fire occurred on Dec. 28, ripping through the 47-unit apartment building at Duffield and Pratt streets in Frankford. Arson is suspected, however, police would not comment further due to the ongoing investigation.
According to Dana Spain, President of the Board of Directors for Veterans Village, on Dec. 28, at approximately 2:20 p.m., two people broke into one of the locked entrances, walked to the door of one of the residents, filled a trash can with clothing and set fire to it.
“These people were known to the resident,” Spain told Metro. “We don’t know if they had some sort of argument or misunderstanding. We’re not really sure what the backstory is, but they walked very specifically to a residence door.”
There were no injuries reported from the blaze, but 23 of the 47 residential units had incurred damage — mostly water damage from the sprinkler system. One resident was displaced for several days, but with assistance from other veteran service associations and the Red Cross, Spain says was given temporary accommodations before being moved back into a safe room in Veterans Village.
“He was off premise for a total of three nights,” Spain explains. “Other residents are inconvenienced — gravely inconvenienced, in some cases — while we’re getting their units dried out and put back together.”
Tahira Kinlaw, a US Army Veteran and resident of Veterans Village, was in her room with her sister, cousin, and young child when the fire alarms went off.
“The hallway was filled with smoke,” Kinlaw said. “Everybody was running out and panicked, and it was cold and raining.”
Residents are now safely back in their homes, however, the complex is heavily damaged — “Half of my hallway is gone,” Kinlaw told Metro.
Veterans Village organizers are working to renovate and rebuild.
“Our initial concern, of course — considering the time of year — is that everybody is warm and has adequate heat and that there’s no additional fire hazards from damaged electricity,” Spain said. “But also, from a long range perspective, water causes mold, and mold is dangerous.”
Contractors are now ripping out wet drywall, replacing baseboards, and testing the foundation for any water damage.
“We have put a lot of time, effort, energy and money into this, and to have just bad actors insert themselves into the village and cause such disarray for the residents,” Spain said. “In some cases, this is the first safe housing that they’ve had in decades, and now their lives are upended.
Building a home
Veterans Village Bernard Spain Campus contains 47 units – from studios to three-bedroom apartments – reserved for those who served in the military. It was designed for vets in need of affordable housing and Spain believes the complex could serve as a model nationwide.
The Frankford complex opened in May, 2023. Residents include men and women – hailing from different branches of the armed forces – ranging in age from 23 to around 80. Multiple children, including a baby, live in the building.
Veterans Villages, the nonprofit, was originally housed under the foundation of Volumetric Building Companies, a modular construction firm. While VBC is still a building partner, the organization was spun off to focus solely on housing for veterans.
So far, the nonprofit has relied on philanthropy and smaller donations.
“We have to raise money, because we do not receive any city, state or federal funding,” Spain said. “We can’t raise rents.”
Rent is subsidized for a bulk of the residents, though some tenants do pay directly, Spain added.
Moving forward
“I want to think positively and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we’re going to get to the other side but right now it’s tough,” Spain said.
Veterans Village is seeking donations — money and contributions to their wishlist can be made online. Spain is also asking the community for any assistance, whether there are contractors willing to lend a hand or anyone willing to donate drywall, paint, or other materials.
“We invite a community to come together and help us rebuild and and help us put together back the safe haven that Veterans Village is for our residents.”
For more information about Veterans Village, or to make a donation, visit veteransvillages.org
