Our service members sacrifice their livelihood for our country every day despite the risks that include severe injury and even death. They put their lives on the line to ensure our freedom, yet many of these deserving people are struggling financially and cannot even afford the simple luxury of having a home of their own. Their families also suffer. They sacrifice precious time with their spouses and live in constant worry as they are deployed for long periods of time. These family members sometimes become full-time caregivers for the rest of their lives after their loved one has been wounded. In the worst of cases, family members are widowed and left to fend for themselves. These families – these heroes – deserve a piece of the American dream; they’ve surely earned it.

Luckily, it seems that people are beginning to realize the need in the Military community. Three non-profits in particular have really stepped up to the plate and have given these families a chance for some much needed stability by offering them free homes.Yes, you heard it right – FREE HOMES.

As a a former caregiver, and now military widow, I can confirm that when everything else is falling apart, having a safe, stable home makes a world of a difference. It is something that you can hold onto, be proud of, and feel safe in; a stability that is hard to find in military life. What these non-profits are doing is changing lives – one family at a time.

Here are the three organizations that have helped so many of my close friends as well as numerous others. I have included brief descriptions of each as well as information on how to apply in case you are eligible. If you and your family are eligible, please do not hesitate to apply. They exist for you. I’ve also included a link for each organization to donate in case you feel inclined to do so.

Operation Homefront: Homes on the Homefront

Operation Homefront recently partnered with Chase Bank to put at least 100 military families permanently into homes. This includes active duty, veterans, wounded warriors, and military widows. Once the families have been chosen, Chase will go through their database to match each one with a home. From there Operation Homefront will provide ongoing transitional services until the house is deeded to the family.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be Active Duty, Guard or Reserve, or have been honorably discharged. Any veteran of any era, regardless of wounded or disability status, will be eligible to apply.
• You cannot currently own a home.
• You must be financially capable of keeping the home during the initial transition period and beyond.

• Families currently living at an Operation Homefront Village.
• Wounded Warriors, surviving single spouses of those killed-in-action, and post-9/11 disabled veterans.

• Go to their application page: http://www.operationhomefront.net/HomesOnTheHomefront/hfvqualify.aspx
• Follow the prompts.

Military Warriors Support Foundation: Homes 4 Wounded Heroes

Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Homes 4 Wounded Heroes is a wonderful program geared toward those service members who were severely wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan and are now retired. Their website lists donated houses that are currently available so that you can see if there is anything available in your area. The families that are chosen will receive three years of financial and family mentoring with their new homes.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a combat wounded veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan. (Purple Heart recipient preferred)
• Must be already retired or separated from the military. (Those with compelling situations, whom are less than 30 days from retirement or separation may be considered)
• Must not currently have a mortgage.

• Follow the link for further instructions to apply: http://militarywarriors.org/openhomes
• Scroll down to browse available homes.

Homes for our Troops

Homes for our Troops was founded in 2004. Like MWSP, they’re geared toward severely injured service members that were wounded after September 11, 2001. In their words, “It is our duty and our honor to assist severely injured Servicemen and Servicewomen and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and professional labor and to coordinate the process of building a home that provides maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently.” This program gives families a little more flexibility as they can choose where they want to live then Homes for Our Troops will come to them and build.

Eligibility Requirements and Applying:

• Follow the link: http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer?pagename=EligibilityTest
• Take the quick quiz to see if you qualify.
• Once you have been confirmed as qualified, follow the prompts to apply.

Donate to Homes for our Troops

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Learn About Other Military Support Organizations.