Veterans, First Responders and Widows Get No-Cost Housing From Military Nonprofit. Here’s How

Thanking veterans and first responders for putting their lives on the line for our country and for others is considered a gesture of respect and gratitude.

For more than 20 years, the national nonprofit Operation Finally Home has put action and money into such efforts by building or modifying the homes of injured, ill or wounded veterans, plus first responders, in need.

“It started out with just new home builds, and we put some numbers together,” Operation Finally Home senior project manager Bryan Sykes told Military.com. “I think we averaged one new home build a month for the last 20 years.

“And as the years went on, these homes got older. So, we created the home modification program that extended to not just our home builds but any home of a veteran that we can modify to fit their needs.”

The modification work might include a tub-to-shower conversion, window or door replacement, widening doors and hallways, or building a wheelchair-accessible ramp—all at no charge to the veteran or first responder or a surviving spouse.

“I would say our average cost is around $25,000 to 35,000,” Sykes said. “We’ve done projects as small as $5,000 for a ramp. But we’ve done new home builds costing as much as $80,000 or more.

“There are literally thousands of veterans and first responders out there that need an accessible home or just need repairs and can’t afford to do it on their own.”

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

Operation Finally Home is headquartered in New Braunfels, Texas, but accepts applications nationwide for new home construction or home modification programs.

Founder Dan Wallrath was a custom home builder in Texas for 30 years. But in 2005, a request to remodel a home for a wounded Marine inspired him to change course.

A gentleman came to Dan and needed help,” Sykes said. “The man’s son was critically wounded in battle, and his home was not set up for him to access it. Dan got together with his buddies who were home builders at the time, and they built a new home for this veteran.

“That’s when Dan realized being a home builder just wasn’t what he was meant to do, so he founded Operation Finally Home.”

Through donations, sponsorships and negotiating, Operation Finally Home is able to complete new home build and home modification projects at a fraction of the standard industry cost—and at no cost to a veteran, widow or first responder being served by the nonprofit.

Eligibility for a new home includes the following criteria:

• Not currently in bankruptcy.
• No felony convictions.
• Service-connected injury or disability.
• Honorable military discharge or honorable under general conditions discharge.
• Demonstrated financial need.

The nonprofit’s home modification program also has eligibility requirements, including:

• Home must be owner-occupied and in your name.
• Current on mortgage and property taxes.
• Service-connected injury or disability.
• Honorable military discharge or honorable under general conditions discharge.
• Demonstrated financial need and no felony convictions.

‘Generosity…is Something I’ll Never Forget’

Willard George, Jr. is one of the recipients.

From January 1999 to December 2002, Willard served in the U.S. Navy as a communications technician and seaman. His service earned him the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal—recognitions of his commitment, discipline and sacrifice.

But for all of his service to our country, George’s home in Reading, Penn., had fallen into disrepair. His windows and doors no longer worked properly. Drafts seeped through cracked seals and security was compromised.

Also, his utility bills were climbing higher and higher with each passing month. That was until he heard about Operation Finally Home and his application was approved.

“Operation Finally Home’s generosity in helping me obtain the windows and doors for my home is something I will never forget,” George told Military.com. “There are times in life when words do not seem sufficient to express how thankful a person truly feels, and this is one of those times. Because of their assistance, my home is safer, more comfortable, and a more secure place. I am truly, truly grateful.”

George added that the nonprofit’s work boosted his outlook on humanity.

“Their kindness has lifted a burden from my shoulders and reminded me that there are still good people willing to help others when they need it most,” he said. “I thank them for everything they have done for me. I will always remember their support, and I will carry this gratitude with me for years to come.”

Sykes said it was an honor for him and the Operation Finally Home team to help modify George’s home.

“He wouldn’t have been able to do this on his own,” Sykes said. “The first quotes that he got were around $50,000. We were able to do it for $20,000 to replace 19 or 20 windows, but at no cost to him.”

Another testimonial listed on the company’s website details the story of U.S. Army Specialist Jakob Spraggins.

The grandson of a World War II Navy veteran, Spraggins was enlisted in the Army in 2010 after being inspired by his grandfather’s service to the country and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

In 2012, Spraggins was deployed to Afghanistan, where he served in active combat for six months—surviving IED blasts, enduring intense firefights, and providing critical life-saving support to his comrades.

As a result of his service, Jakob has been awarded the Combat Action Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Valorous Unit Award for his valiant service.

But the toll of his experiences began to impact his daily life, leading to a medical discharge in 2015.

Today, Spraggins is divorced and lives in the Waco, Texas, area with his two daughters. He applied to Operation Finally Home and was approved for a mortgage-free home.

“They risk their lives for us, this is our way of giving back,” Sykes said. “I’ve been doing this work for 25 years and can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Now 20 years strong, Operation Finally Home is busier than ever. The nonprofit continues to accept applications from veterans and first responders (or their widows and loved ones) looking for assistance.

“I have about 25 projects that are in construction, being bid out, or are on my radar to be bid out,” Sykes said. “It’s a huge need and a lot of people don’t realize that this program is out there.

“I would say there are about 50 clients right now that have applications in the works, and they just keep coming in.”