Veterans Villa to keep being able to house Vets

Hi, my name is Tina and I am an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion. I am also the Secretary for Legion Branch 255 as well as 1st Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Veterans Villa.

We are in dire straights to keep the Villa operating as it has been since it opened its doors in 1971.

In just the last year we have had our insurance triple from the previous year and had a major plumbing issue under the building that has tripled in cost from the original quote. Royal Canadian Legions located in Edmonton aided in our success since 1971 but the Legions themselves are declining in members which in turn has a direct decline in donations that are to be for the Villas operation

Normal Apartment Buildings charge enough from each unit to handle these types of expenses but as a non-profit affordable housing we can't increase our rents to market value as that is not what the original vision was for this building and the vision has not changed since 1969 when the plan for this building was put in place and we can not change it now because we are struggling for donations.

The Villa is Veterans housing first and foremost. Then housing for family of Veterans, then in more recent years for Seniors if vacancies are available. We had to amend our rules to include Seniors who are not veterans or family to veterans, as costs to run this Nonprofit Housing are sky rocketing and we need to strive for 100% occupancy to be able to cover most of the costs for heat, electricity and day to day operating cost.

Our only other source of income is donations. These donations pay for things like furnished units that are for homeless vets transitioning back to civilian life, BBQ's, special dinners and game nights for the tenants, gift certificates for tenants at Christmas and the list goes on.

Your donation will go directly to the Villa to support the Veterans, their families and deserving seniors.

Any amount of your generous donation be it $5 or $5000 is so greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Tina Cormier