Homeless Vets Get A Home Of Their Own

DENVER (CBS4) - They served our country, but many have no place to live. There are more than 160,000 homeless veterans in the United States. But now 36 veterans and their families are getting ready to celebrate their first Fourth of July in a home of their own.

Up until March, Army veteran Anthony Mitchell and his wife, Madeleine, were living out of their car. Now, along with other formerly homeless veterans and their families, the couple calls the Fourth Quarter Apartments home. So does Brian Stephens, who was homeless for four years.

"I just slept where I could. I went in between friends and family. I just did what I had to do," Stephens said.

The apartment complex is the first VA-funded program to open its doors from President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama's plan in finding a home for 160,000 homeless veterans over the next 5 years.

"When we heard the news, chills up and down our body. We started dancing. I was extremely excited when the president said that," Anthony Mitchell said.

One-time NFL player and University of Colorado alum Bo Matthews helmed the project with partner and former Denver Bronco Claudie Minor.

"It's special to me because at the age of 15 I was homeless for about 2 years," Matthews said. "We will support them in the effort in getting their life back."

More than a roof over the veterans' heads, the development provides job and life skills training and another chance at independence.

"Now July 4th means something totally different," Anthony Mitchell said. "We're not homeless and we still have a lot of brothers and sisters that are out there on the street. So through my future endeavors now I'm going to try and help my other brothers and sisters that are veterans of war."

In addition to funding from the VA, the Fourth Quarter is also the first new project to open from Denver's Road Home. That program is aimed at reducing homelessness in Denver in 10 years.