The Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community concept represents the final step in the fight to end veteran homelessness. Created by Soldier On, the first-of-its-kind, award winning Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community is a national model for providing homeownership to veterans.
With the opening of our first Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community, in Pittsfield, MA in October 2010, we began offering veterans who have been successful in Soldier On’s program the opportunity to purchase an equity stake in their homes. Moreover, veterans who move into the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community become homeowners within a community of veterans, surrounded by the services they need and with access to support from other veterans, for the rest of their lives.
Within the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community model, the value of residents’ shares is held in trust and is available to them if they choose to move out.
The Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community is named for Gordon H. Mansfield, former Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. A highly decorated Army veteran of two tours of duty in Vietnam, Mr. Mansfield was appointed to the position of Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs in November 2003 and served until January 2009. Mr. Mansfield, a Pittsfield native, served as Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal opportunity at the Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1989 to 1993. While serving as company commander with the 101st Airborne Division during his 2nd tour in Vietnam, he was wounded during the TET Offensive of 1968, sustaining a spinal cord injury. For his actions, he was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest personal decoration for valor in combat.
- Each project incorporates photovoltaic cells
- Projects utilize innovative building materials, Net Zero design features that can result in payback in three to five years
- By reducing energy use, sustainable design features will control energy costs for residents