The City of Hampton honored its veteran community on Veteran’s Day with a hands‑on Home Repair Blitz. In partnership with the nonprofit Rebuilding Together of Hampton Roads, volunteers repaired two veteran‑occupied homes, adding new decks, fixing HVAC equipment and addressing safety concerns.
Veterans receive critical home improvements
John Tessler, a 100% disabled Navy veteran, and his wife were among the first homeowners to benefit. The couple bought their house in 2021 but were unable to make major upgrades. Volunteers installed a new deck, repaired the interior staircase and cleared a clogged dryer vent, work Tessler said he would not have been able to afford otherwise.
Phyllis Catlett, another Navy veteran, saw her home transformed with fresh paint, kitchen and bathroom updates, and a brand‑new air‑conditioning unit and furnace. “When my furnace went out, space heaters weren’t enough,” Catlett explained. The timely repairs made the home livable again just in time for the holiday.
Nonprofit and city collaboration
Rebuilding Together of Hampton Roads focuses on safe, affordable housing for low‑ to moderate‑income families throughout the region. Executive Director Natasha Stewart said the organization partnered with the city after learning about Hampton’s work with Habitat for Humanity.
“I’m a veteran myself, and I’m always looking for ways to serve the veteran community,” Stewart said. “Affordable housing is most effective when we improve the homes people already live in, so we reach out to those who need it most.”
How projects are prioritized
Stewart explained that each veteran completes a 25‑point housing checklist developed from HUD’s safe‑and‑healthy housing principles. The nonprofit then works with the homeowner to prioritize the most impactful repairs.
Mayor’s support
Mayor Jimmy Gray highlighted the city’s commitment to veterans, noting that the Blitz was a tangible way to say thank you. “It’s one thing to say thank you; it’s another to show our gratitude through action,” Gray said. He added that the partnership will return in 2027 to assist four additional veterans.
Community impact
The event underscored Hampton’s broader effort to support those who have served. Residents praised the initiative, noting that the repairs not only improve safety but also restore pride in homeownership for veteran families.
Volunteer groups, local businesses and city staff coordinated the effort, demonstrating how public‑private collaboration can address pressing community needs without relying on additional tax burdens.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
