Housing Development For At-Risk Veterans Proposed In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Martin Wallberg American Legion Post 3 is proposing a new hall with 22 units of housing for at-risk veterans in Westfield.

"Our veterans proudly served our country and are now in need of our help to provide adequate housing as they re-enter the workforce so this project will serve multiple purposes," the Legion wrote in a press release.

The Legion, located at 1003 North Ave. West, was founded by Westfield veterans of World War I and was named after war hero Martin Wallberg — the son of a Westfield resident who was killed in action while carrying an American flag over the top of Passchendaele Hill in Belgium.

The American Legion was inspired by a group that helped build a similar housing facility for veterans in Hoboken last year. According to the Legion, this facility has been "thriving for the last three years after rebuilding their hall, and adding six units for at-risk veterans that have been living there since the opening."

Read more: Hoboken American Legion Reopens With Homeless Veteran Housing

The American Legion has developed a plan to replace its current facility in Westfield with a sustainable, state-of-the-art facility with a 3,000 square foot banquet hall for Westfield residents rent out for events, 22 units of housing for at-risk veterans, a new cantina for members and new offices for Veterans Affairs.

The facility will also qualify for a full-time staff member from the VA to assist veterans with services including resume building, job search as well as various counseling that is needed.

For those who are interested in learning more about the proposed facility, American Legion is hosting an event on Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. to discuss the proposed plans in more detail and answer any questions from the public.

For additional information prior to the meeting, you can reach out to Joe Mindak at joe@theconnective.me.

You can also read more the Martin Wallberg American Legion Post 3 here.

Martin Wallberg was born in Västra Ed, Kalmar, Sweden, on Aug. 23, 1898 and came to Westfield with his parents when he was four years old. He attended school in Westfield, and completed his studies around the outbreak of World War I.

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