Love Home Renovation Shows? Get Inspired by this Veteran’s Home Transformation on Military Makeover

PODS remains committed to helping veterans and military families as they navigate housing issues, home maintenance, transitional tasks, and moving and storage. As part of that commitment, PODS offers a 10% military discount on PODS moving and storage services for active duty, retired, and veteran members. Learn more about the PODS military discount here.

Our military servicemen and women demonstrate an unwavering dedication to serve and are there when we need them most. Yet research by the U.S. government shows that returning military members face a higher risk of homelessness and housing challenges than their civilian counterparts.

What happens when they need help with attaining secure and stable housing -- one of the most basic human needs of all? Who serves them?

Recently, we got a close-up look at one program that’s focused on improving home stability and making home dreams come true for active, retired, and veteran military and their families. Military Makeover with Montel is a unique home improvement series on Lifetime that enlists conscientious designers, contractors, landscapers, and other home improvement professionals to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country. 

PODS Moving and Storage was honored to be a proud sponsor when the Military Makeover team performed an inside-and-out renovation on the home of an Atlanta veteran and his family. Read on to learn about this veteran’s service, his home transformation, and other government and nonprofit programs aimed at helping veterans and their families achieve safe and secure housing.

Serving in the shadow of tragedy

Meet Marcelino Marquez -- father, husband, and Master Gunnery Sergeant with over 27 years of service in the U.S. military and reserves. During his extensive time in the military, Marquez served five years in Mortuary Affairs.This military branch involves the recovery and handling of service members who have died on the battlefield, including the processing and transportation of remains post-combat.

Service in Mortuary Affairs involves an especially harrowing and difficult series of tasks, often leading to long-term repercussions as unit members work to return to civilian life. Specifically, studies show that Mortuary Affairs personnel suffer some of the highest rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, including intense psychological pressure that can manifest years and decades down the line.

Marquez now works and lives outside of Atlanta with his wife Frances and three children -- 11-year-old twins Jacob and Isabella, and 9-year-old Maya -- along with their dog, Rex, and Perry the parakeet. He reports that he still fights every day to cope with the memory and after-effects of his military experiences.

Home Makeover For A Hero  

After Marquez’s years of service and ongoing recovery, his family said their home needed some major TLC. This is where Military Makeover came in. Not only did the Marquez family home get the needed repairs -- they got the house of their dreams. A total kitchen remodel, all-new furniture, and high-tech entertainment system gives it the “wow factor” that makes home improvement shows so much fun to watch. 

On the practical side, solar panels and a new energy-efficient HVAC system will save the family thousands in utility bills, while new outdoor siding, windows, decking, and flooring throughout the home mean few maintenance worries for decades to come. Thoughtful touches like a fully-equipped garage gym and home office complete with CaptionCall technology to help Marquez communicate by phone with confidence despite hearing loss will support his physical and mental health.

Dive into the big reveal and watch the home transformation video here:

Protecting family belongings during renovation

The renovation was so extensive that the family was required to move out and relocate temporarily during the process. To help eliminate clutter and protect the family’s belongings, PODS provided on-site storage solutions and temporarily moved the family’s belongings to a secure PODS storage facility. The sponsorship also included loading help from professionals. This cleared the way for the design and construction teams to make a seamless transition from old to new.

“PODS is so proud to serve the men and women who serve our country,” said Jason Felty, manager for PODS’ Atlanta operations. “This is a special honor to even be asked to be a part of a military makeover. It’s a fraction of what anyone can do to give back after the sacrifices they’ve made.” 

See the loading process in action below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9otwWWsYgXI&feature=emb_logo

Housing Help for Veterans and Military 

When it comes to post-military life, housing security and maintenance are often top concerns for veterans and their families. If you’re a veteran, you may qualify for one or more of the public and private programs listed in the sections below. 

Government Programs for Veterans Housing

• VA Home Loan Benefits and other housing assistance is available to military members, veterans and surviving spouses through the VA. The site offers details on VA Home Loans and other housing programs to help buy or build a home; refinance an existing home loan; or improve your current home. 
• The VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program promotes housing stability and community integration among military members and their families by helping veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
• HUD-VASH Housing Assistance for Veterans is part of Section 8 for veterans, a collaboration between the VA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This grant and benefits program offers veterans housing assistance in the form of rental vouchers and other supportive residential services. 
• Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans may be available to eligible veterans and military members with service-related disabilities to help buy, build, or change an existing home.

Top Nonprofits Focused on Veterans Housing Assistance

Although the VA offers extensive programs, the bureaucracy can often be hard for veterans to navigate, especially in times of crisis. Supported by both government and private grants, these nonprofit organizations often help veterans cut through the red tape, while also offering special programs focused on filling the gaps with veterans housing assistance and help military members transition back to civilian life. In addition to veterans needing services, if you’re looking for a way to help veterans, these organizations could be a good place to start. 

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a nonprofit that supports veterans and their families with housing instability, employment, and access to benefits and medical care.  
• National Coalition for Homeless Vets is a national network of community-based service providers for veterans and their families. This nonprofit offers support in job placement, emergency and transitional housing, legal aid, health services, and more. 
• Wounded Warriors Family Support helps with post-military issues such as housing instability, marital conflict, disability, financial stress, and gaps in caregiving.
• United Way’s Mission United program coordinates among various outreach groups to connect veterans with housing initiatives, healthcare organizations, and employment services. Its mission is to honor and improve the lives of military members as they work toward a self-sufficient home and civilian life.
• Homes For Our Troops works to build and adapt homes for severely injured military members and their families. Through this program, retired veterans wounded in the Iraq-Afghanistan war (post 9/11/01) and eligible for the VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program may be able to receive a no-cost home construction or remodel to accommodate their injury and/or disability. 
• Military Makeover with Montel accepts applications from active military, veterans, and their families to be considered for a home transformation. Be sure to check out their website if you're interested in having your home and family featured on the show.

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Amelia England is a content writer and regular contributor to the PODS Blog. Between college, grad school, and seasonal adventures, she has downsized and relocated over 25 times.