In a new cozy apartment, Donald Anderson is able to work in a warm, safe place.
For the painter, who sells much of his art work in Greektown, just months ago his life was much different.
It was very rough not knowing which way to go, which way to turn,” said Anderson.
He was one of a number of homeless veterans in Detroit, until a major overhaul happened at what was once called Charlotte Apartments in Midtown Detroit.
The building had been a hot bed for illegal activity in 2003, when then Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Duggan shut it down. Now as mayor of Detroit, he joined the Detroit Central City to rehab the building into 27 units just for homeless vets.
"When I got out of the military and came home, this place was like Beirut. I could have stayed overseas,” said Charles Montague, a veteran of the Air Force. “It’s great to know the city is taking care of us veterans because before they wasn’t and now they are doing everything they can possible at the moment.”
Montague is bi-polar and suffers from Post Tramatic Stress Disorder. He has been in his new apartment for a month. The home came fully furnished by Humble Design, a local company.
“It’s great to know the city is taking care of us veterans because before they wasn’t and now they are doing everything they can possible at the moment,” said Montague.
Tuesday, Mayor Duggan toured the new building and met some of the heroes, like Anderson.
“Extremely happy,” said Anderson. “I mean, it’s still surrealistic like this is my home. I thank God. It’s still unbelievable.”
“It meant so much to me that they are finally doing this for the vets,” said veteran Kevin Fulgenzi.
All of the units are completely leased out. Most of the veterans are already living in their new homes.
A few residents are expected to move in next week.
