By Jasmine Turner

Published: Nov. 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM EST

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Veterans now have a new place to call home thanks to a housing village built specifically for them by Liberation Veterans Services.

The organization has served nearly 800 veterans over more than a decade.

The Liberation Veterans Village offers 50 micro apartments, each with private bathrooms, showers and living quarters, plus a commercial kitchen where residents can store food and personal items.

The facility also includes a laundry room and common gathering area.

The Liberation Veterans Village offers 50 micro apartments, each with private bathrooms, showers and living quarters, plus a commercial kitchen where residents can store food and personal items.

“I’m a firm believer that you do what you can with what you have, how you can do it,” said Jay Patrick, founder of Liberation Veterans Services, which he started close to 12 years ago.

Patrick said there are two words that should never go together: homeless and veteran.

According to HUD, a January 2024 point-in-time count estimated 32,882 veterans were experiencing homelessness on a single night.

“The truth is, is that I found out that there were veterans in our community that were not being served, and I found out I could do something about it, and I decided to do something about it,” Patrick said.

Liberation Veteran Services has provided mental and physical health services, financial literacy and other support for more than a decade. The organization serves as a liaison for veterans, helping them navigate VA benefits and other services.

“We wanted to become a liaison for the veterans so that if they can just get to us, we’ll handle the rest. We will navigate the VA, we will help you get your benefits, we will help you with everything that you need,” Patrick said.

The new village represents an upgrade from LVS’s current facility on Hull Street, which uses a congregate living model.

“It’s wide open. It’s very much a shared, bunk type area and bathrooms are shared,” Patrick said of the current facility.

The micro apartments are designed for supportive housing, with an average length of stay of six to eight months.

U.S. Army veteran Chillee Banks, who stayed at the Hull Street facility, said it provided help when he needed it most.

“It was a place I needed, in a time of need to be honest with you. I got recommended over here to a drug treatment program. Then, I ended up here and I didn’t have to burden my kids or my siblings with my own troubles. LVS was like a gift for me,” Banks said.

Patrick said the veterans village is also breaking new ground.

“On this east coast of this nation, there’s literally nothing like this that accommodates to veterans exclusively,” he said.

The project has been a comprehensive undertaking for Patrick, who was involved from the initial planning stages through completion.

“It has truly been a labor of love. I’ve learned a lot in developing this housing development,” Patrick said. “I think, it is fascinating to be a part of a project like this from the soil samples, all the way to the paint colors. Right from the very inception, before it even comes out of the ground.”

The current facility represents only the first phase of Patrick and LVS’s vision. LVS is now focusing on Phase 2, which would add 20 permanent affordable housing units to the same site.

“The village is not complete without permanent housing. And so we’re starting with 50 supportive housing units. But what makes this a village is that when we have 20, permanent affordable housing units, that these veterans can live for the rest of their life, in community,” Patrick said.

The goal is to offer veterans a place of dignity and respect, ensuring those who served have a home.

“We’re in this together. You served our country the least we can do is, is make sure that you have everything that you need,” Patrick said.

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