VETERANS BUILD
Supporting Veterans, Building Futures.
At Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, we are proud to serve U.S. veterans, military service members, and their families through our Veterans Build initiative. This program offers volunteer, homeownership, and employment opportunities to those who have served our country, ensuring they have access to safe, affordable housing and the resources they need to thrive.
Help a vet today!
Why Veterans Build Matters.
Housing challenges disproportionately affect our veteran community. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2.5 million veteran households are led by individuals aged 55 or older, and 24% of these veterans face housing cost burdens. Additionally, older veterans are more likely to have disabilities (35%) compared to their civilian counterparts (28%), creating a greater need for accessible home modifications and supportive services.
Female veterans, particularly single mothers, face significant economic hardships. Nearly half of single mother veterans spend more than 30% of their income on housing, making them especially vulnerable to housing instability. Meanwhile, post-9/11 veterans returning to a slow-growing economy and rising housing costs struggle to transition from military to civilian life.
With 4 million veterans spending at least 30% of their income on rent or mortgage, and over 1.5 million dedicating half of their income to housing, the need for affordable housing solutions is urgent.
Our Focus Areas.
Through the Veterans Build initiative, Big Bend Habitat for Humanity works to address these challenges by focusing on five key areas:
Building
Safe, decent, and affordable housing is at the core of Veterans Build. We partner with The Home Depot Foundation to provide critical home repairs to veteran homeowners through the Repair Corps program. By maintaining, preserving, and enhancing homes, we ensure they are more energy-efficient and accessible for veterans in need.
Employment
We recognize the unique skill sets veterans bring to the workforce. We actively recruit veterans for employment opportunities at Habitat, including roles as employees, board members, extended volunteers, and AmeriCorps members. Veterans can also pursue internships and fellowships with us, allowing them to continue serving their communities in impactful ways.
Volunteer Engagement
Veterans Build provides fulfilling volunteer experiences that bring veterans, military families, and their neighbors together. These engagements foster community connections and help ease the transition from military service to civilian life. We offer short- and long-term volunteer opportunities at Habitat offices near you, where veterans can make a meaningful difference.
Education
To support veteran and military homeowners, we offer financial education and financial literacy programs designed to ensure successful homeownership. In addition, we train Habitat employees and community volunteers to better understand military culture, which enhances our ability to serve veterans and military families effectively.
Honor
Throughout the year, we host and participate in special events that honor our veterans and raise awareness about the critical need for affordable housing. These events mobilize volunteers and create lasting change in our community.
Our Impact.
Since 2013, we have made significant strides in serving veterans and their families:
- 9,097+ veterans and their families have partnered with us to improve their housing.
- 350+ Habitat affiliates actively participate in Veterans Build, partnering with veteran support organizations to meet veterans’ needs.
- 100+ veteran-serving organizations collaborate with us to provide holistic support to veterans.
- 70+ Habitat affiliates across 30+ states have participated in Repair Corps projects, impacting more than 1,997 veteran-occupied properties.
Take Action with Veterans Build.
There are many ways you can get involved with Big Bend Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Build initiative:
- Contact us to find a Veterans Build event near you.
- Join a special event to support veterans in our community.
- Learn about our critical home repair program for veterans and see if you or someone you know qualifies.
- Explore homeownership opportunities through Habitat’s Veterans Build program.
- Support Veterans Build by making a donation to help us continue building safe, affordable housing for veterans and their families.