Home Is Where the Heart Is

Disabled and aging veterans face unpredictable and often agonizing challenges, especially when it comes to finding safe, affordable, and accessible housing. A national nonprofit organization, Purple Heart Homes, was founded by veterans for veterans to address these unique housing challenges, including homes that have become unsafe or inaccessible over time.

Whether it’s a new roof, installing wheelchair ramps, or mitigating mold, Purple Heart Homes is dedicated to ensuring that veterans can live safely and independently, restoring their dignity and hope.

“Our purpose is to build awareness, mobilize communities and create safe housing solutions for our service-connected disabled veterans of all eras,” explains John Gallina, chief executive and co-founder of Purple Heart Homes. “Our goal is for communities across our nation to take ownership and responsibility in supporting and serving our nation’s veterans, putting action behind the words of, ‘Thank you for your service.’”

Gallina emphasizes that the entire nation reaps the benefits of a veteran's service, and therefore, the community must be part of the reintegration process.

“We work each day to tell the stories of the veterans and the volunteers, the funders and the partners... The old adage is still true today: it takes a village, and we are working to unite villages around our veterans.”

A Mission Forged in Combat

The story of Purple Heart Homes began when high-school buddies Gallina and co-founder Dale Beatty enlisted in the North Carolina National Guard. They were deployed to Iraq in 2004, where both suffered combat injuries. Beatty was severely injured by an anti-tank mine, resulting in the loss of both legs below the knee.

The pair turned their personal journey into a powerful mission, founding Purple Heart Homes in 2008.

“There were several profound moments that led to the founding of Purple Heart Homes,” Gallina recalls. “First and probably most impactful after returning home injured was the realization of the need that Dale had as a double amputee; witnessing him crawl into his bathroom was heartbreaking. Being a small part of the larger community, coming together to support Dale and his family in building a forever home was the real match that lit the fire.”

Inspired by the Fisher House and the support of Vietnam veterans they met upon returning home, they decided to pay it forward.

The Ripple Effect of Safe Housing

Since its founding, Purple Heart Homes has served nearly 4,000 veterans and more than 8,800 family members through projects across the country. Most projects are individual home renovations, critical repairs, and new homes, though they also work on transitional housing.

Gallina notes that the work has a massive ripple effect. When a veteran regains dignity through a simple ramp or bathroom modification, their caregivers and families also regain freedom and peace of mind.

He cites the example of James Ellenburg, a veteran who served in the Korean DMZ. At 83 years old, Ellenburg could only leave his house once a week when his son-in-law could carry him down the steps.

“By installing a ramp and widening the door to his home, he was able to go outside anytime he wanted,” Gallina notes. “Oftentimes, we don’t think about our home as becoming our prison, but for this veteran, that’s exactly what it had become.”

Eligibility and How to Apply

Purple Heart Homes is funded through private donations, foundations, and corporate sponsors.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Service-Connected Disability: Veterans with a service-connected disability status.
• Age: Veterans over the age of 60 who have a disability and received an honorable discharge.
• Background Check: Eligible veterans must pass a criminal background check.
• Ownership: Proof of current mortgage or homeownership is required.

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to veterans over the age of 60. Information and applications are available at purplehearthomesusa.org.

Veterans Helping Veterans: Debra’s Story

Purple Heart Homes is dedicated to helping veterans achieve independence. One powerful example is Debra Farley, an Army veteran who served during the Cold War.

In 2020, Debra was laid off, faced rent increases that led to homelessness, and was diagnosed with breast cancer—all at the same time. While she owned a small piece of land, she couldn't secure a loan for a home.

“At that time, Purple Heart Homes had just started manufacturing 320-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bath homes with efficiency kitchens, so we organized our partners and funders to build Debra a small home,” Gallina says.

Today, Debra is thriving in that home. She has earned a degree and works full-time while giving back to her community.

“Debra is special but not unique; she is one example of the many veterans that Purple Heart Homes serves,” Gallina enthuses. “They all have a servant’s heart, they just need to be supported.”