NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency held a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the opening of Curb Curb Victory Hall, an affordable housing development for Veterans experiencing homelessness.
Curb Victory Hall is the result of a unique public/private partnership involving MDHA, Giarratana LLC, Operation Stand Down Tennessee (OSDTN), the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), music industry executive and philanthropist Mike Curb, the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) – VA and the Mayor’s Office.
The 39-unit development is located on 12th Avenue South next to OSDTN, which is offering wraparound services such as benefits and employment assistance to the Veterans who call Curb Victory Hall home.
Thirty-seven of the 39 apartments will house the men and women who dedicated their lives to serving our country. The two remaining apartments are set aside for service providers, one of which is already occupied.
“Today is another opportunity to celebrate our city’s commitment to Veterans. Curb Victory Hall is another step in our effort to build homes for heroes,” said Mayor John Cooper in a press release. “This model stands out because it brings the public and private sectors together – not only to support Veterans with housing, but also to place organizations that provide other, wraparound support right in the building and next door.”
The hall opened its doors last month and is currently home to 14 Veterans, including Private Rico Thompson who joined the U.S. Army after 9/11. Thompson served a combined five years – both active and in reserve, but he fell on hard times after a recent health issue and ended up homeless.
“For the last several months, I was so focused on where I was going to stay and how I was going to maintain it,” said Private Rico Thompson in a press release. “Now that I have permanent housing, affordable housing, I can now focus on other things like my health and finding a part-time job. That’s why Curb Victory Hall is such a blessing. It’s just amazing to have my home here and services here at our fingertips.”
MDHA staff hope to fill the remaining apartments by the end of the year.
