Urban American Extends Veterans Housing Program To Returning Soldiers In New York-Metro Buildings

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As United States forces continue to return from the end of major operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Urban American, a property owner and manager of approximately 10,000 units of workforce housing throughout New York City, New Jersey, and Westchester has announced new steps to provide them with affordable housing as part of its on-going Veterans Housing Initiative ("VHI").

Two years ago, Urban American Management was determined to create the program in response to reports of veterans who are unable to find affordable housing when they return to civilian life, which in many cases leads to homelessness.  Since the establishment of the VHI, Urban American has helped veterans find high quality and affordable housing options in the New York Metro area and remains a proud and personal effort for the family-run company, which has veterans serving among its senior management.

As part of the VHI, qualifying veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and current service members remain eligible for free rent in the first month of their lease.  Since this program will be offered to veterans in addition to other discounts that Urban American may be offering at their properties, some veterans could qualify for even more significant rental benefits.  Additionally, veterans who are applying to college or graduate school through the GI Bill may not have to pay any security deposit toward their apartment.

To increase the program's outreach and better identify veterans and service members in the region who could benefit from the VHI program, Urban American has begun a pilot program of hiring military spouses to contact and follow up with veteran associations, veteran-affairs offices and local reserve units in the area to further get the word out.  By doing this Urban American hopes to not only help veterans, but provide opportunities and some income to military families at a time they may need it the most.  

"When I got out of the Army and returned to New York, I had a job and family waiting for me.  But many of our most honored citizens, who served their country and are now seeking a good life in New York are not as lucky.  We applaud the commitment of these brave men and women and to honor their service, we must support them in their transition from uniform," said Philip Eisenberg, CEO of Urban American. 

Philip's son Joshua, an Executive Vice President of Urban American and a 12-year veteran of the Army National Guard continued, "Our goal is to serve those who served.  But we also hope to be an example for other apartment managers to set up programs of their own.  If we do it right, New York could become the most welcome home for our honored veterans."

Urban American Management's commitment to veterans extends beyond the VHI program, it has also become a proud strategic partner of Team Rubicon, a veteran-based organization that deploys teams of military veterans around the world to natural and manmade disaster areas to provide recovery assistance to individuals and municipalities in need.   Urban American donated office space to Team Rubicon to locate their Northeast headquarters as well as leverage Urban American's longstanding relationships with large building material suppliers to set up Team Rubicon with important grants, discounts and immediate access to mission-critical equipment and materials wherever a disaster may occur. 

Urban American was formed in 1997 to acquire and manage workforce multifamily properties. Urban American's objective is to smartly invest in properties to rehabilitate their infrastructure, improve common areas, reduce energy consumption and apply efficient management practices to provide a superior product and service to its residents.   Urban American's approach is based upon the philosophy that the owner and the resident have a mutual long-term interest in the improvement and maintenance of their community's housing stock, neighborhood and environment.  For more than a decade, Urban American has been an industry leader in providing safe, clean and quality properties for its residents.

Veterans interested in applying for the program can contact Ann Heath at 201.537.5140 or [email protected].

SOURCE Urban American