Veteran Who Lost Home To Fire Receives New Home Through Pilot Program

TAMPA, FL — An Army veteran with disabilities is the first participant in the city of Tampa's new Replacement Home Pilot Program.

After losing his East Tampa home to a fire, Booker Washington applied for the city of Tampa's Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program, but did not qualify since the total cost of repairs exceeded the program limits.

Instead, he was referred to the new Replacement Home Pilot Program by City Councilman Orlando Gudes, which will provide approximately $260,000 for the construction of a new home for Washington.

"The City of Tampa put funding, about $780,000 into a pilot program, and that is to replace the homes that individuals are no longer able to live in," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said.

Washington's home is the first of three to be replaced under the program.

His new home is expected to be completed by July.