Plans unveiled for homeless veterans’ village at Parkwood

Crowd at unveiling of plans for Homes for Heroes Village, London. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)

For those who served, the return to civilian life is not always smooth, says Jamie Hackland.

“A lot of fellows come away from their service with many problems, and I suppose that has a lot to do with it,” he explained.

The Canadian navy veteran and resident of the Veterans Care program at Parkwood was in the crowd at Parkwood Wednesday, where plans for a new veterans’ village were unveiled. The initiative aims to support the estimated 200 veterans in the London region who are living on the streets.

“To our veterans, this project is for you,” said Brad Field, President and CEO for the Homes for Heroes Foundation.

“You have served our country, and now it’s time to serve you, with care, with dignity and with lasting support,” said Field.

The village will be built on a 1.8 acre site on the grounds of Parkwood along Western Counties Road. It will house 25 homes, along with a resource centre, community gardens and recreational area.

Each home is 300 square feet and fully furnished. But it’s so much more than that, says Lt. Col. Joe Murray (retired) of the 1st Hussars, London.

“And more importantly, it’s a community, and it’s right here on Parkwood, where historically the veterans have been looked after,” he said.

The homes will come with wraparound supports, said Lt. Col Bob Buchanon of the 1st Hussars, London, and a member of the Homes for Heroes London steering committee.

“Add some structure to their life. Assign a social worker, a case worker to rebuild that citizen, so filling in those gaps wherever they might be,” he explained.

More than two thirds of the $4 million project has been funded by all three levels of government. Private contributions are being sought to cover the balance. Construction begins next year, with an opening date set for next spring.

“Some of these guys can be stubborn, and hopefully you can get the place filled up, and a lot of these guys can have a better quality of life because of it,” said Jamie Hackland.