SEBASTIAN — Still in the very early conceptual stage, members of Sebastian’s Veterans Advisory Board are interested in pursuing a possible homeless veterans transition house. Such a facility could be used to help veterans in need get back on their feet, according to the board.
Commander Jerry Piper, of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10210 and chair of the advisory board, said during Monday’s meeting that their top priority is helping homeless veterans.
As it is, he knows of at least seven homeless veterans who live on the Indian River County side of the Sebastian Inlet.
He and his fellow board members have targeted a vacant building just off Main Street as a potential site for a transition house. That property, formerly known as the Victorian Lady, is located on Louisiana Avenue, between Sebastian United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church.
They have been unsuccessful in making contact with the property’s owner and have heard that the property might be in foreclosure, they said during the meeting.
City Manager Al Minner told the board that he would “do some homework” and report back at the next meeting, which will be in April.
“I think those are probably reasonable goals,” Minner said of targeting a property, buying it, getting it zoned appropriately and moving forward.
When Minner asked the board how the property would be purchased, Cmdr. Piper said, “I was hoping the city would help us.”
Fellow Veterans of Foreign Wars member Butch Dawson said there are available grant dollars that could be acquired to help fund the endeavor.
For Cmdr. Piper, providing a place to sleep for homeless veterans is just the first step. Ideally, he said during the meeting, the transition house could also assist the tenants with finding jobs and helping address addictions – “just help them get back on their feet.”
Board member Tom Nagle, also of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post, said the property in question would work for two reasons – one, it’s surrounded by churches; and two, there are no bars or other such establishments nearby.
“It is an ideal location for what we’re looking for,” Nagle said.