County Opens Renovated Housing for Veterans

A group of veterans and active military personnel finally have a place to call home in East Garden City.

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano was joined by Legis. Dennis Dunne Tuesday morning to welcome the opening of the newly renovated veterans housing at Mitchel Field, located between Nassau Community College and Stewart Avenue.

“We are so proud to announce our homeless veteran program that has launched right here in what has been military housing for quite sometime,” Mangano said.

According to Nassau County, they took over the property from the United States Navy as of April 1. The county has started the process of renovating the 42 homes in the area. Upon completion, Mangano says, it will provide housing for veterans. To date, they have four houses completed with two veterans moved in. Another 18 homes will cater to active military personal, Mangano added. They are currently occupying seven of the units.

“When we consider the sacrifices made by generations of American on behalf of our freedom and democracy, we stand in awe of their courage and sacrifices,” said Mangano, continuing to explain that it is important to give a “token of appreciation to our veterans for their dedication to our country.”

Active military tenant Dora Mayfield, who is an E4 specialist in the United States Army, moved into her new residence at Mitchel Field on July 1. Mayfield’s original home caught on fire last year, forcing her to move in with her aunt. When her aunt passed away, the Northport VA called Mayfield to check in on her.

“Nassau County and the people at Northport VA hospital – the social workers – came and surprised me with a home here a Mitchel Field,” Mayfield said. “There has been a smile on my face ever since then.”

Mangano explained that Nassau County is working with the United States Marines, United States Navy, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Community Development Corporation of Long Island to find those veterans who are eligible for Housing Choice Vouchers for the HUD- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. In tandem with the military’s housing referral system – Automated Housing Referral Network – the county is currently locating qualified residents for these units, he said.

Retired Master Sergeant Carlos Berrios served in the United States military for 28 years. After coming home from serving as a private contractor in Iraq, Berrios faced tough times as his wife and sister passed away. He was recently placed into one of the homes at Mitchel Field.

“From the bottom of my heart, we thank you very much,” Berrios said.

“Again, we will continue to build on these [housing] options in this area and other areas until we have made certain that those veterans that leave our great county, that when they come back we want them to have housing options so they can re-establish their lives,” Mangano said.

Veterans who are interested in obtaining a voucher to reside in one of the houses can contact Mary Kelly at the Northport VA by calling 631-241-6182 or the Nassau County Office of Real Estate Services at 516-571-4207.