Tunnel to Towers Pays Off Mortgages for Veterans’ Families

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation marked Veterans Day by paying off mortgages for 30 families of deceased military members, ensuring they have homes. Covering 22 states, these families come from nearly every U.S. military branch. The foundation supports surviving spouses and children of service members and first responders who died in service.

Frank Siller, Chairman, and CEO of Tunnel to Towers, revealed the initiative on ‘Fox & Friends,’ discussing ongoing housing programs for homeless veterans in Pennsylvania and the upcoming ‘Season of Hope’ for firefighters’ families.

Siller stated, ‘We are paying off 30 mortgages for Gold Star families who lost loved ones serving our country. Many suffer from burn pit cancers, similar to 9/11 first responders. It’s important to remember their sacrifice on days like today, reminding America of those still dying for us.’

The 30 mortgage payoffs align with the foundation’s aim to deliver 343 mortgage-free homes by 2026. This pays tribute to the 343 NYC firefighters who died on September 11, 2001. The effort launched during the 25th anniversary of 9/11 supports military families and first responders.

Siller confirmed plans to deliver these homes: ‘One for every firefighter who died on 9/11. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, over 60 homes will be delivered, hitting our 343 target.’

Recognized families included Army Lt. Col. David Briseno from Texas, Marine Corps Master Sgt. Khanh Tuan ‘Shane’ Nguyen from Maryland, Army Sgt. Brandon Minneman from Washington, and Navy Chief Officer Ernest Lopez Jr. from California. Other recipients hailed from New York, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, Massachusetts, and more.

The Gold Star Family Home Program offers mortgage-free homes to eligible surviving spouses with young children, easing their financial challenges.

Additionally, Tunnel to Towers opened the Harrisburg Veterans Village in Pennsylvania, expanding efforts against veteran homelessness. The site includes a 61-unit apartment complex and 20 one-bedroom homes, aiding over 80 veterans with services like job training and mental health support.

Explaining the initiative, Siller said, ‘Veterans returning from service often struggle to reintegrate into society, ending up homeless. Tunnel to Towers aims to eradicate that. Over three years, we’ve assisted 27,500 homeless veterans.’

Tunnel to Towers’ strategy extends beyond shelter, addressing financial, emotional, and medical challenges linked to veteran homelessness. The organization’s Homeless Veteran Program, started in 2022, has served over 20,000 veterans and 10,000 children.

Harrisburg joins other Veterans Villages in Memphis, North Charleston, Houston, and Atlanta. The foundation aids veteran housing programs in California and Texas, with a new village set to open in Denver on December 9, alongside seven developments slated for 2027.