Triad Financial Services, Inc. Key Player in National "Remember Our Forgotten Heroes, Help for Homeless Veterans" Program
September 20, 2000

The manufactured housing industry is partnering with Miss America 2000, Heather French, to provide affordable housing opportunities to formerly homeless U.S. veterans. The "Remember Our Forgotten Heroes, Help for Homeless Veterans" program will make manufactured homes available to formerly homeless veterans at significantly reduced prices. Triad Financial Services, Inc., a Jacksonville-based manufactured home lender, is working closely with MHI on the "Remember Our Forgotten Heroes" program and has been integral in securing funding for the first two homes presented.

The program is a public-private partnership that was started by the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), Senco Products, Inc., the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) and Miss America 2000 Heather French that will provide more than 10 homes to formerly homeless veterans throughout the country over the next 12-24 months. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, between 300,000 to 500,000 veterans are homeless over the course of a year. In fact, one out of every three homeless males has at one point served our country in the military.

Donald Whitehead, a Cincinnati resident and the first veteran to be chosen for the unique public-private partnership "Remember Our Forgotten Heroes", closed his loan with Triad Financial Services on June 29. The 1,700 square foot, three bedroom, two bath Champion home is located in the East Fork Crossing subdivision in Batavia, a suburb about 30 miles east of downtown Cincinnati. The house, an estimated $75,000 value, was sold to the Whitehead family for $58,000. The proceeds from this sale have become "seed money" for upcoming projects. The closing was attended by Bob Shields, Triad's Regional Manager for Indiana, Russ Laycock of Senco Products, Jim Widmeyer of MHAC, Mr. Whitehead and his wife Linda.

Whitehead served in the United States Navy from 1981-1984. Addiction problems led to an early conditional discharge from the service and ultimately into homelessness for a period of five years. Today, he has been sober for five years and serves as a program recruiter for the Ohio Goodwill Industries. He was reunited with his wife and two children in their new home.

Understandably, Whitehead suffered as many formerly homeless do from a less-than-stellar credit history. This is where Triad Financial Services, a "Remember Our Forgotten Heroes" sponsor came in. Don Glisson, Jr., the president of Triad Financial said, "While on paper Donald is a substantial risk, we believe that he has put all of his past problems well behind him. In short, we believe he is the type of individual we are proud to serve." 

Triad continued their dedication to the program by securing a $20,000 loan for the second home awarded in the nationwide veterans campaign. The new Patriot home was presented to Michael Lathan, a formerly homeless veteran from the Houston area, on July 7.

"Triad is extremely excited to assist with the 'Remember Our Forgotten Heroes' program on the front end by assisting in the evaluation of nominees and helping as many as possible secure financing," said Don Glisson, Jr., president of Triad Financial Services.

Michael, a U.S. Army veteran, struggled with an addiction to drugs and alcohol that led him into homelessness. He lived on the streets for more than a year.

With the intervention of his sister and the help of the Task Force for Houston Area Homeless Veterans, he overcame his addiction and today works for the Houston Veterans Affairs Hospital. During his recovery, his wife Mary lived in Baton Rouge with their four children. In early August, the entire family relocated to Manvel, Texas. 

"My family and I are so excited for this chance to own a home and live together under one roof again. It has been a dream of ours for so many years and now with the help of these great companies and these great people, our dream truly is a reality," Lathan said. "These people will never know the gratitude we will always feel for what they have done for us."

"This is Triad's way to show our respect and appreciation to our veterans who have served our country," said Bobby Glass, Triad's Vice President for the Southwestern Region.

Currently, Triad is working with MHI to secure funding for the third project planned in Atlantic City, NJ. Future projects are planned in Louisville, KY, Las Vegas, NV, Buffalo, NY, Mobile, AL, and Indianapolis, IN.

All contributions to the program will be received by a new housing foundation created by the NCHV, which will also be the titleholder to all property prior to the property being sold at a discount to an eligible veteran. The foundation will ensure that all necessary and reasonable expenses related to the acquisition, management and distribution of acquired homes would be borne out of the proceeds of home sales and other equities. Homes will be both donated and sold at a rate significantly below the market rate for new homes by MHI member companies. All homes will then be resold to veterans at prices that reflect their income and ability to pay.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the program can contact the NCHV at (800) HELP-VET or visit the organization's web site at www.nchv.org.