JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than 67,000 homeless Americans are veterans and 968,000 veterans lived in poverty in the last year.
But one Jacksonville Army veteran has a new home thanks to a group called Building Homes For Heroes.
Army veteran Ricardo Arreola and his three children were escorted to their new home in Jacksonville on Thursday morning.
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Dozens of people cheered as the family members stepped into their new lives.
When Arreola walked inside his new home, he got emotional and burst into tears.
“So amazing,” said Arreola.
Arreola is an Iraq War veteran.
His military service was cut short in 2009 when his unit on patrol was attacked.
Arreola said he was medically discharged and he and his family eventually became homeless.
They had been living out of his truck.
“A lot of people don’t know the sacrifice that come, it’s just not the soldiers sacrificing, it’s not just first responders but their families,” he said.
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Arreola and his family were given a four-bedroom home completely furnished and mortgage-free.
“JP MORGAN CHASE donated the $275,000 as a thank-you for his military service”
Building Homes For Heroes spokesperson Kim Valdyke said the group has awarded 140 homes across the country at no cost.
“It is truly mortgage-free. They have to pay their utility bills and cable bills and cellphone bills, but they will never have rent or mortgage again,” said Valdyke.
Arreola said getting a home of his own has changed his life.
“I was looking at that couch right there, that little sofa, with the three settings and how good it is going to feel on my back when I sit down,” he explained.
Arreola said he received a gift he never thought possible.
“So welcome home,” said Valdyke.
If you're a veteran and would like to submit an application for a chance to get a free home, click HERE.
Cox Media Group
