Getting the runaround on help for veterans

I have an idea to help our disabled vets find affordable housing in the Northwest suburbs: new homes. I know it's an ambitious plan and would require help from government agencies.

I started by contacting state Rep. Fred Crespo's office and sat down with his aides to explain my idea and even brought location suggestions and sample architectural plans. Essentially I was told by the office worker, "Not our job. It's a federal responsibility." The office worker said he would pass my information to Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth's office.

I never heard from them. I called and asked for an appointment, and a staffer handed me a list of pages and pages of government grants. I read through them at home and my head was spinning, so I called back to ask which grant I should apply for, I was told someone would get back to me. That was two months ago.

So, I decided maybe the village could help and talk to the planning department. They told me the rules about rehabbing or rebuilding are that buildings had to conform to the local area home values or permits would not be issued, and the rules wouldn't be changed even if it benefits disabled vets. I'd think any village would be proud to have vets living there.

I know the VA has loans and grants (like the Specially Adapted Housing Grants that provide money for building or modifying homes) that could make this work.

All that needs to happen is our elected officials want to make it work. But it doesn't seem to be something they are interested in - no money in it or favors to be returned to them.

Crespo and Duckworth speak a good game, but that's all. That is why government does not work.

Allen Back

Streamwood