Volunteer urges community support to expand White Mountain Victory Village supportive housing

A volunteer with the White Mountain Coalition Against Homelessness urged community members at a recent public comment to help expand White Mountain Victory Village, a developing supportive-housing project that currently operates four homes and aims to grow to 10.

The speaker said the coalition started to help people who "want to better themselves and were willing to work hard" but lack a safety net. "Victory Village is a beautiful little community that we are in the process of developing for people where life has happened to them," the volunteer said.

The comment stressed that not all people experiencing homelessness have substance-abuse problems and that a shortage of programs leaves some without options. "If you are not a person with a challenge like substance abuse, there are no programs to help a typical person find supportive housing or a safety net while they get back on their feet," the volunteer said.

The speaker described recent client outcomes as evidence of the program's approach. "We saved half their money. She was able to use that income to put down on a house in 2 months," the volunteer said, describing one resident who moved out after two months and used saved income toward a house while navigating a divorce and reunifying with children. The speaker also said a second resident graduated in March.

White Mountain Victory Village partners with the Reis Center, which the speaker said already "have the facility, the training programs all in place," and will provide mentorship and a step-up program for residents. The volunteer described hands-on support such as coaching interview skills and professional presentation, stressing that the program offers "a hand up, not a handout."

The speaker said the coalition's immediate goal is to increase housing from four units to 10 and called for community contributions including skilled volunteers, building materials and sponsorship. "It'll help us get individuals that are in your parking lot in cars into a restart place," the volunteer said, noting cold winter conditions as a local risk for people living outdoors.

For those interested in supporting the project, the speaker gave a website: whitemountainvictoryvillage.org, and said either the speaker or "Roger" would work with potential supporters to develop a plan.

The remarks were made during the meeting's public comment period and did not include any formal motions or actions by the meeting body.