For several years, Andy Williams’ work training local veterans gave them the tools needed to start careers in real estate development and project management.
Several years into creating and operating his trade school Rehab Warriors, Andy Williams felt like something was missing in terms of community development, according to a social media video posted by his organization.
“As a developer, you scale up and then you feel like you are leaving neighborhoods behind,” he added.
Andy Williams decided to build that bridge with Rebuilding the Fort, a nationwide nonprofit based in Fort Worth empowering veterans to reinvigorate their neighborhoods through development and community building.
“This is a benefit to both the veteran and to the city, to help bring those areas up to acceptable levels,” said Lt. Col. James L. Williams, a Marine veteran and an advisory board member of Rebuilding the Fort.
The organization serves to connect veterans with the housing solutions needed in their cities.
Currently, Rebuilding the Fort is partnered with the cities of Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Hurst and Balch Springs, according to its website. The organization is also in conversations with several other cities nationwide.
Through the platform, cities are able to address plans for investment and redevelopment in neighborhoods they deem to be the most in need of housing.
James L. Williams noted the platform works because of the veterans. When trained properly in the industry of real estate, they can become resources for their cities, he said.
“They’re reliable, dependable, consistent and they get hired,” James L. Williams said.
All that is often needed is a way to educate veterans on complexities of housing development — ranging from tax abatements to understanding how to use VA loans in your business.
“Once you understand the routine, it’s like conducting an orchestra,” James L. Williams said. “Once you understand how music is played, and you can read sheet music, and you understand all that, you’ll probably have a pretty good musical session. And this is no different.”
Roderick Williams is an example of a veteran now proficient in that sheet music. Based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the Army veteran participated in both Rehab Warriors and Rebuilding the Fort.
The course instruction helped him not only in real estate, but also gave him the tools to understand construction budgets, property evaluations and ways of “leaving a neighborhood better than when you found it.”
The training helped him transition military skills such as leadership and mission-driven mentality to understanding scopes of work and the importance of project timelines. Roderick Williams just recently put these skills to use and completed his first housing project.
“It really helped out and (made) this transition really seamless going into real estate investment,” he added.
Ismael M. Belkoura is the nonprofit editor for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from North Texas Community Foundation. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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