Roof Above launches transitional housing program for veterans and working men

CHARLOTTE — Roof Above opened a transitional housing program in southeast Charlotte for veterans and working men experiencing homelessness, with a celebration event Friday morning.

“Their primary goal is to say, ‘Hey, what are your needs right now? What are the barriers specifically around employment.” And we know that might reach into other things like mental health in general, physical health,” said Roof Above director Tanisha Williams.

The nonprofit says a housing program, Kings on Lamar, has the capacity to serve 64 individuals and aims to provide a supportive environment for participants to build skills, connections, and confidence needed for long-term housing and financial stability.

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The dormitories at Kings on Lamar were previously used as emergency shelter during the pandemic after the closing of King’s College in 2020. Roof Above leased the dormitories to provide socially distanced shelter to working men, which paved the way for the current transitional housing model.

Roof Above leased and renovated the space.

“Their primary goal is to say, ‘Hey, what are your needs right now? What are the barriers specifically around employment?’ And we know that might reach into other things like mental health in general, physical health,” said Roof Above director Tanisha Williams.

The facility will house 84 men, 27 from the military where services were available while they were enlisted.

“We found some of the needs weren’t met when they got out of the service, whether that’s distrust of the government,” Williams said.

Williams said security and support are the goals. Participants can find some of that support from within their own ranks.

“There is a sense of community there that provides a brotherhood, as well as general support where people get out of the survival mode and think about what life looks like for them,” Williams said.

Roof Above said the renovations and opening of Kings on Lamar were made possible through community support.

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