Eagle's Landing provides transitional housing for homeless veterans

The staff at Eagle's Landing include, from left, case manager Tonya Cain, Director Steven Dahmer and resident manager Ventura Perkins. (Jo Anne McKnight/Press-Register correspondent) 

Eagle's Landing is a 36-unit transitional housing community with supportive services to meet the unique needs of homeless veterans who served in the active military and now find themselves sleeping in shelters or various places not designed for human habitation. 

The goal of the Eagle's Landing project is to provide services and housing for up to two years to assist in reintegrating veterans into meaningful employment through their participation in employment training and educational enhancements. Medical and dental care will be available, as will be counseling and other services to help the returning vets build self-esteem and confidence.

The apartments at Eagle's Landing are situated in quadriplex units, with each efficiency apartment having its own entrance. The goal, however, is to build a community of veterans and there is an office/community building housing a computer lab, laundry equipment and social room. (Jo Anne McKnight / Press-Register correspondent) 

Eagle's Landing is a Grant Per Diem program funded through a partnership with the Veteran's Administration and Volunteers of America. Five of the quadriplex buildings -- 20 individual apartments -- have been completed and five veterans are currently in residence. Each unit, which has its own entrance, is fully furnished with kitchen appliances, sturdy oak dining, living and bedroom furniture and a bathroom. Some are outfitted for veterans in wheelchairs.

A quad has four individual apartments with separate entrances, all fully furnished with some being outfitted to accommodate veterans in wheelchairs. (Jo Anne McKnight/Press-Register correspondent) 

The community building, which looks like the housing units from the outside, has a bank of stainless steel washers and dryers as well as a computer lab and a social area with attractive couches and chairs, a television and a coffee pot.

Steven Dahmer, director of Eagle's Landing, is joined by two other staff members, case manager Tonya Cain and resident manager Ventura Perkins.

Dahmer said that though major funding is in place, there are still needs and wants, which range from toiletries and linens to "Battle Buddy" mentors and apartment adopters, to a plate of cookies and a puppy.

Those needs can be met by caring individual community members, school children, veteran-oriented organizations, civic clubs, churches and businesses. 

The furnishings at Eagle's Landing are identical, with sturdily built beds and bureaus, dining table and seating, a complete kitchen and bathroom. Some are adapted for veterans in wheelchairs, with the stove and bed and other pieces of furniture lower than standard. The goal is to help the resident be self-sufficient. (Jo Anne McKnight/Press-Register correspondent) 

Dahmer said that it takes $2,400 to sponsor a room, meaning that such a donation would furnish an apartment in the same style as the others. The business or donating organization would be recognized for their sponsorship with a plaque on the apartment wall.

Perkins, the resident manager, is looking for a boxer puppy. He trained dogs for military service and would like to have one that can be trained to accept the whole community at Eagle's Landing. A boxer, he said, would be a loving companion and would help the veterans bond as a supportive group.

For information on other ways to help the residents at Eagle's Landing, to take a tour of the facility or to talk with Dahmer about speaking at an organizational function, contact him at 251-421-1229 or sdahmer@voase.org.

Eagle's Landing is located at 6501 Moffett Road on the old Barber's Dairy property.