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Jan 5, 2009 8:13 pm US/Eastern
Website Provides Foreclosure Help For Veterans
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
Veterans who are in danger of foreclosure with their property now have a new program available to help them stay in their homes.
CBS4's Sharrie Williams spent time with one vet who is benefitting from the program.
"It's just not an option for me to lay down, or lay my head down in my personal situation," said Hugo Gonzalez. He's got the heart of a soldier but also the wounds and scars that come with combat.
In 2004 he was a specialist in the US Army serving in Iraq. While on patrol, his vehicle was blown up by explosives. Bloody pictures taken on the ground help tell the story from that day: Shrapnel exploded into his body. His head was severely injured; he was blinded in his right eye, and his left eye was critically damaged.
"As a consequence of that blast I developed post traumatic epilepsy and post traumatic migraines," said Gonzalez.
He spent two years in recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. Doctors say he should have died; he now lives in Pembroke Pines with his wife, twin girls and a one-year-old. Although Gonzalez can move around, his long term injuries deem him 100 percent disabled.
The physical challenges brought on financial hardships. The Gonzalez family was at risk of losing their beautiful home. With a wife and three kids to raise, Mr. Gonzalez sought help and he found it.
"We're reaching out to the veterans' community to let them know we're here," said Dave Reirson.
Reirson heads up Rebuilding Together Broward County—a non-profit that helps low-income homeowners restore their homes and has programs specifically for veterans.
"We found out he was very close to foreclosure; we were also concerned he was not receiving all his veterans' benefits he was entitled to," said Reirson.
Rebuilding Together was able to get the family's mortgage cut in half and is also making plans to build a fence in the backyard so the girls can play safely without being in danger of wandering into the canal that runs behind the house.
"It's been great to get to know that somebody cares for you other than your family," said Gonzalez. "It makes you feel you're not alone.'
Gonzalez was one of those of individuals who said I am ready and willing to serve, and so he's done his part and we are trying to do ours.
MORE INFORMATION AT:
Rebuildingtogetherbroward.org
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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