Hoboken American Legion Post 107 Breaks Ground on Ambitious New Project to House Homeless Veterans

ABOVE: Post Commander John Carey, Post Chaplain Vinny Wassman, fundraising coordinator Joe Mindak and Post Treasurer Mark Villamar speak to the community about the new Hoboken American Legion Post 107.

Nearly five years after being heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy, Hoboken American Legion Post 107 marches on, breaking ground today on a new building that will operate as a flood-resilient veterans’ community center while also serving as a 6-unit residential housing complex for homeless veterans.

Hoboken American Legion Post 107 in 2015, following a restoration after severe flooding from Sandy.

Established in 1920, Post 107 serves veterans of all American wars who live in and around Hoboken, Jersey City and Union City. Following the severe flood damage Sandy in 2012, the Post worked with the City of Hoboken, the Hoboken Rotary Club, Hudson County and the Hoboken Shelter to rebuild its facility. The result of these partnerships was the plan to create six residential units in a new, elevated space that would protect the American Legion from flooding at the ground level.

Monarch Housing, a non-profit affordable housing developer, secured six project-based vouchers for homeless veterans and obtained project financing through federal grants. This project is being partially funded through the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Hudson County HOME Funding Consortium, and the City of Hoboken. The Post is also raising additional funds via community outreach to cover expenses such as furniture, appliances, and other amenities for veterans who will reside in these units.

Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, State Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro, and other members of the community joined with proud American Legion veterans for today’s ceremonial groundbreaking of the new space, located near 2nd & Willow Sts., adjacent to the now former Post HQ.

To learn more about the Hoboken American Legion Post 107, its mission, its rich history, its ambitious future and how you can help, please visit HeavenHellOrHoboken.com.