Service never ends: Volunteers help build, rehab homes for Illinois veterans

For many veterans, service to the nation and their countrymen doesn’t end when they are done with active duty.

That’s evidenced by former service members who are among the estimated 170 volunteers deployed this weekend as part of the Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity’s fifth annual Veterans Build.

Those volunteers will work with Habitat for Humanity affiliates in DuPage, Lake, McHenry, Cook, Will and Grundy counties to help construct, rehab and/or make essential repairs to veterans’ homes in St. Charles, Aurora, Waukegan, Woodstock, Chicago and other communities.

Established in 1976, Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit provider of affordable housing. Recipients have no- or low-interest mortgages and provide “sweat equity” into building their homes alongside volunteers.

Since Habitat’s inception, “the model has been to give a hand up, not a hand out,” said Brian Worrall, chief marketing and technology officer for Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity. “Focusing on veterans this time of year, and year round, is a great way to give back to those who gave so much for their country.”

The organization introduced the Veteran Build program nationwide in 2013 to address an underserved population when it comes to affordable housing, Worrall said. Since then, Habitat has assisted more than 10,000 military men and women and their families nationwide.

Chicago's Habitat established its version of the program in 2021. The initiative — whose theme is “Service Never Ends” — has served more than 90 veterans across the region, with assistance from more than 700 volunteers.

The need persists. More than 91,000 Illinois veterans are living in a home with at least one major problem related to quality, crowding or cost, according to Chicagoland’s Habitat.

Of the 2.5 million veterans heading households most are 55 or older and 24% of them face financial burdens related to housing costs, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Female veterans also are more likely to experience housing instability. Similarly, veterans who served following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, face a higher likelihood of a severe housing cost burden compared to non-veterans.

Former soldiers also are less likely to seek assistance.

“Members of the military are incredibly proud individuals,” said Worrall. “They are hesitant to ask for help.”

“They have served their country,” he said. “It’s time to serve them.”

For information on volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and its Veterans Build, see chicagolandhabitat.org.