Veterans Village, An Affordable Housing Project With 7 Townhomes, Opens In Douglasville

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Discharged veterans in Douglas County now have an opportunity to live in an affordable housing development designated just for them.

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners and the Community Services Board held a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday to mark the completion of Veterans Village, the name of the affordable housing development, located on Cooper Street.

The complex includes seven refurbished townhomes, each with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, according to a news release.

“It means we are taking progressive steps to make sure our veterans are not left behind Douglas County Chairwoman Romona Jackson Jones said. “Completion of this housing complex for veterans shows what we all can do when we collaborate with state and federal officials.”

The complex, which the CSB has owned since 2005, previously housed women battling substance abuse matters. This program ended in 2014, and the buildings remained vacant.

Members of the CSB approached the Douglas County BOC with a partnership, and commissioners unanimously approved $391,000 in funding to complete the renovations.

“We have veterans who are discharged every day, from 19 to 40 years of age, who need a leg up to be a thriving citizen in this community, and now we can provide these services to make it a little easier,"CSB Chief Operating Officer Raye Lightford said.

The CSB has also partnered with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to provide long-term housing and rental assistance to veterans that qualify, the release said.

“After serving our nation, our heroes are often left to deal with battling behavioral health issues, financial instability, and a lack of resources," Lightford said earlier this month. “Quality housing, employment support, case management and therapeutic rehabilitation services are offered directly to our veterans in the community where they choose to reside. This one-of-a-kind community is dedicated to combating these disparities.”