Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Foundation helped fund a housing project that turned part of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, into homes for formerly homeless veterans. The project opened in 2019 with 77 permanent supportive housing units.According to the foundation, the housing development was built by HELP USA in partnership with the District of Columbia as part of the redevelopment of the 66-acre site that once housed the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The HELP USA building was the first residential development to open on the former military medical centre campus.The project was designed specifically for veterans who had experienced homelessness. It included 77 studio apartments along with offices for medical staff, counsellors and case managers. The building also had a cafeteria, gym and landscaped courtyard, giving residents access to housing as well as support services.Funding came from government sources and private donations. The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation was the lead private funder.
Housing for 77 formerly homeless veterans
The 77 homes were offered at different affordability levels. Seventy-five units were designated as permanent supportive housing at 30% of Median Family Income for chronically homeless veterans. Two additional units were offered at 50% of Median Family Income.The project was built at the site of the former Abrams Hall, also known as Building 14. The building had originally been constructed in 1976 as barrack housing for soldiers receiving long-term medical care who were able to live semi-independently.The building included space for medical staff, counsellors and case managers, allowing supportive services to be provided within the housing development.
Part of Walter Reed redevelopment
The veteran housing project was one part of a much larger redevelopment of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center site. The District of Columbia was undertaking a 15-year redevelopment of the 66-acre parcel, with the stated aim of creating a new neighbourhood and delivering community benefits.Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser said the redevelopment was also intended to support residents facing housing insecurity.
Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation’s role
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation was among the private organisations that helped make the project possible through development funding.“The JBJ Soul Foundation is proud to once again partner with HELP USA as we welcome 77 Washington D.C. veterans to a place they can call home,” Jon Bon Jovi said.“We were called on to lead the private sector investment at Walter Reed and are proud to have this opportunity to say thank you to those who so bravely serve our country,” he said.
Foundation backed other housing projects
The foundation had also supported other housing projects for people experiencing homelessness. Its work with HELP USA at Walter Reed came alongside other housing initiatives involving veterans, families and young people.In 2021, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation provided a $100,000 match grant to the Veterans Center of Hoboken, which was creating additional housing and supportive services for homeless veterans. The project added 18 furnished housing units to an existing facility that already included six units of affordable housing.The foundation also supported a housing expansion campaign in Las Vegas in 2021. Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth announced that the campaign had raised $675,000, exceeding its $500,000 target. The foundation contributed a $100,000 community matching grant.The funding helped the organisation purchase a 15-bed housing property. The new property increased its housing stock by 150% and became part of a Transitional Housing/Rapid Rehousing Programme offering a total of 30 housing beds.The Las Vegas programme also provided case management, employment and education assistance, food, clothing, hygiene supplies, transportation, moving assistance, life-skills classes and peer support.The foundation had also backed housing projects in New Jersey. In 2019, it contributed to a four-unit expansion project by HABcore in Red Bank. The project later opened in 2020 and provided permanent housing and support for homeless families, veterans and people with special needs.
