A Home for the Brave

Volunteers of America launched “A Home for the Brave" in 2009 to increase awareness about and resources for the growing need for permanent and supportive housing resources for our nation's Veterans. As part of the initiative, we created our Hope Manor continuum of housing developments, which provide high-quality housing with intensive and supportive services to Veterans who are struggling with or at-risk of homelessness.

We help provide housing opportunities for individual Veterans and head of household Veterans and their families, including:

• Assistance with locating safe and affordable housing
• Individual coaching and training on tenant rights and responsibilities
• Financial literacy and household budgeting
• Coaching on effective communication and being a good tenant/neighbor
• Housing inspections that promote safety and quality housing standards

Hope Manor I (learn more)

Hope Manor I, located in West Humboldt Park in Chicago on a parcel of land donated by the City of Chicago, was built using a variety of funding sources including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and includes operating support from the Chicago Housing Authority and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Hope Manor I provides immediate housing for up to 50 Veterans in need of intensive services at the point of referral and affordable housing with rental support for up to 30 Veterans who require less intensive services, but longer-term rental assistance. Hope Manor I Apartments is about much more than simply housing Veterans – the goal is to help Veterans improve their lives over the long-term by promoting self-sufficiency, building new skills, creating strong support networks and integrating Veterans more positively into community life.

WATCH:Ground Breaking of Hope Manor I

WATCH: Grand Opening of Hope Manor I

Hope Manor II (learn more)

Hope Manor II, located on the south side of Chicago, is one of the first large-scale, supportive housing developments in the country specifically designed for head of household Veterans and their families. The campus-style development, which is home to 73 heads of household Veterans and their families, was built on a 3-acre parcel of land donated by the City of Chicago utilizing Low Income Housing Tax Credits for construction and development. Rental assistance for all 73 apartments was provided by the Chicago Housing Authority.

Hope Manor II provides a comprehensive response to the challenges facing any Veteran who is homeless or at-risk of homelessness – especially female Veterans and Veterans with children. Hope Manor II is a campus-style community of Veterans that provides a flexible continuum of housing and supportive services to the Veteran and their family through a unique combination of studio apartments, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments and 4-bedroom town-homes. To achieve the goal of empowering Veterans to transform their lives in the most positive way possible, Hope Manor II is a healthy, vibrant and service-rich community with immediate access to a broad range of services to improve the quality of life for Veterans and their families including counseling, case management, parent training and support, youth enrichment programs, employment services and peer support.

WATCH: Hope Manor II ground breaking

Hope Hall (learn more)

Hope Hall was created in collaboration with the Hines VA Medical Center and is based on the “safe haven" residential model for reaching the most at-risk and chronically homeless Veterans. The program, located in Melrose Park, provides safe housing and intensive services for up to 14 male or female Veterans who are homeless and struggling with mental health issues, addiction or both. The program relies heavily on intensive engagement strategies and clinical interventions specifically designed to meet Veterans exactly where they are in their crisis and to support and encourage their participation in services in a safe, non-threatening environment. The goal is to move these Veterans out of crisis and to prepare them for greater stability and independence in more permanent settings such as group homes or supportive housing in the community.

Hope Manor Joliet (learn more)

Hope Manor Joliet, located in Joliet, Illinois is the first large-scale, supportive housing development in Will County. Hope Manor Joliet is similar in design to Hope Manor II. The main entrance to the Hope Manor Joliet campus is located at the intersection of Eagle and Hebbard Streets in Joliet on a parcel of land previously occupied by Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet. This development provides housing and supportive services to 67 heads of household Veterans and their families with immediate access to a broad range of supportive services on-site in the main building of the development.

Hope Manor Village (learn more)

Hope Manor Village, located in Englewood surrounding the Hope Manor II campus, provides high-quality, affordable housing to Veteran preference families. The services offered to residents of Hope Manor Village are comprehensive and highly individualized to meet the unique needs of individual Veteran-headed households with families. The services are multi-generational(targeting both children and adults), strength-based, gender-responsive and trauma-informed.

Hope Manor Village will include a learning and development center, Englewood 21, that hosts after-school programs for children and small business enterprises.