Edmond VFW, American Legion and City Councilman Robins hold press conference seeking veterans support.
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Members of Edmond VFW and American Legion with City Councilman Robins. Photo by Erin Stevens. -
City Councilman Tom Robins, America Legion Commander Rex Ice and VFW Commander Deric Duncan host press conference. Photo by Erin Stevens.
Deric Duncan, senior post commander for Edmond’s Veteran of Foreign Wars post, is asking Edmond landlords to help veterans residing in the New Life Village find new living quarters after the property at 1300 E. Ayers Street, was declared a public nuisance property by the Edmond City Council.
“We call for action to the community of Edmond and the greater Oklahoma County community,” Duncan said. “These 20 veterans are in an unsafe place. We're not asking for free places for them to stay. This is actually a (voucher) program to provide you payment and allows them to get on their feet and find a new way to have housing, gets them the health care and medical care they need. I don't think it's too much to ask from our landlords and our property owners in this county to step up and help us.”
The Edmond City Council approved a strict abatement plan, which requires property owners to bring the building within code compliance by their March 11 meeting.
The dilapidated 90-room building has all 30 rooms on the first floor occupied, mostly by veterans using housing vouchers.
Duncan said qualified veterans receive a housing voucher that helps them find affordable housing.
“We understand landlords need to make money, but this is a program that will get them in the pipeline where they will get paid,” he said. “They will get paid $2000 a month and there is payment for that in the pipes, and we also willing to acknowledge those landlords who work with those property managers, or work with whoever it is, because there are things at the VFW or the American Legion, we can do to help incentivize it.”
Ward 1 Councilman Tom Robins said the nuisance property has had its share of police calls, and one maintenance person arrested.
“Upon investigation, it was determined that a gentleman, who also had a previous criminal record, was (doing) maintenance work for his housing. He was arrested and charged with a crime of distribution and possession of child pornography,” Robins said.
Danny Shadid, the attorney representing property owner Dr. Rajesh Narula, said Narula has acquired $2.4 million in private financing to upgrade the property.
Rex Ice, commander of Edmond’s American Legion Post, said the American Legion and VFW, are working to help veterans find new housing.
“If you need assistance, we are here to help you,” he said.
Ice said veterans need a permanent address to receive benefits.
“The reason we need to get them into a home is they can't get VA benefits if they don't have a stable address,” he said.
For more information about veteran benefits visit the American Legion Post 111, located 101 E. 5th Street in Edmond, or call (405) 341-3049, or the Edmond VFW Post 4938 at 16 E. Campbell Street, or call (405) 341-2267 or visit www.vfw4938.org