Homeless veterans in our region will have affordable housing thanks to a non-profit organization.

On Wednesday, BuddyWatch, Inc. along with the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the future site of the “Polaris” community located at 862 South Coastal Highway in Midway. The site will be used to provide housing to homeless veterans in our region, with several small (800 foot) cottages spread across five acres of land recently donated to BuddyWatch Inc. founder Jo Coleman-Williams.

“We are thrilled to honor this milestone and get to work on our housing plan,” said Coleman-Williams. “Affordable housing in this region is already a problem for everyone, and it’s increasingly difficult for veterans who have come back from deployment with no home and limited resources.”

Coleman-Williams is a licensed therapist and plans to help veterans in need, physically and mentally. One acre of land will be used for new therapy office space and the other four acres will remain available for tiny houses to be built. Each house will be handicap-accessible and available to a veteran in need. To raise much-needed funds to support the new “Polaris” community, BuddyWatch, Inc. has produced and is selling unique bird feeders, which can be purchased for $79 plus shipping and handling.

The goal of BuddyWatch is to act as a safe haven community for soldiers who have returned home and are struggling to acclimate to civilian life. It will act as a gateway between military and civilian life. Veterans may stay as long as they need to develop their civilian skills and acclimate to civilian life.

BuddyWatch, Inc. is a nonprofit, free resource to help any former military member, no matter of their discharge status. For more information on BuddyWatch or to make a donation, please visit https://buddywatchinc.org/.