The Hessel Family Foundation Launches Hessel House, an Eco-Friendly Housing Pilot for Homeless Veterans in Clearwater
Clearwater, Fla. (June 6, 2025) — The Hessel Family Foundation is proud to announce the launch of Hessel House, a non-profit pilot project dedicated to providing an eco-friendly home in Clearwater, Florida, for a homeless U.S. veteran and their family. This initiative was established in 2024 and is being developed in partnership with the Community Service Foundation (CSF) and its affiliated program, Team Veteran.
The Community Service Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been assisting underprivileged families in Pinellas County to find and maintain affordable housing for over 60 years. In 2024, CSF established the Team Veteran program, which is working alongside Hessel House to build this innovative home as a pilot project. St. Vincent de Paul CARES (SVdP CARES), an affiliate of CSF dedicated to ending homelessness across 19 Florida counties since 1985, also supports this initiative.
According to Ed Thiebe, Executive Director of the Community Service Foundation, “There are high hopes that after the grand opening, we will be able to work with the city and other municipalities to expand the inventory of houses. Everyone this project touches are impacted. This is the right thing to do for our community and our veterans.”
The 750-square-foot home is being constructed using steel insulated panels (SIPS), which form the walls and roof. These panels are termite-proof, wind-resistant, and flood-resistant, providing a durable, energy-efficient, and low-maintenance living space. Once complete, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom home will be leased to a veteran and their family for one year.
Rent in Pinellas County averages around $1,300, which is approximately 35-36% of the fair market rate for affordable housing. Under this program, the veteran family will pay half that amount, plus utilities, making it significantly more affordable. The remaining half of the rent will be placed monthly into a savings account for the family. Over the course of the year, the stipend is expected to accumulate approximately $6,000 to $7,000, helping build financial stability. These numbers are estimates and will be finalized once the home is ready for occupancy.
The property was donated by the City of Clearwater under a Land Use Restriction Agreement (LURA), which requires occupants to meet income qualifications. For Hessel House, qualifying families must fall within 50%-80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), varying by household size. It is a common misconception that homeless veterans lack sufficient income to pay rent; many receive social security, disability, and/or retirement benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that make them eligible for such housing.
The rationale behind the one-year lease and stipend program is to provide sufficient time for veterans and their families to stabilize financially and emotionally. If stability is not achieved by the end of the lease, affordable housing options remain available through the Community Service Foundation and its affiliates.
Currently, construction is underway, but no veteran has yet been selected. The focus remains on completing the home before choosing a tenant. Veterans interested in qualifying must meet the income requirements and be enrolled in CSF’s Supported Services for Veterans and Families program.
Veterans are 50% more likely to experience homelessness due to factors including lack of support networks, mental health conditions like PTSD, physical disabilities, and challenges transitioning to civilian life, according to greendoors.org. Through the combined efforts of The Community Service Foundation, Team Veteran, St. Vincent de Paul CARES, and the Hessel Family Foundation, it is believed that homelessness among veterans in the Tampa Bay area and beyond will significantly decrease.
Robert Hessel is a 4th-generation Navy veteran and co-founder of The Hessel Family Foundation, which he established alongside his wife, Tajila Hessel. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting community-based organizations that serve children and young adults with autism, veterans, cancer fighters, and their families. Driven by a commitment to fostering a more inclusive world, the Foundation partners with programs that provide specialized services and essential resources to these communities.
Speaking about the inspiration behind Hessel House, Robert Hessel said, “The men and women who serve and risk their mental and physical health defending our country deserve to feel safe upon their return. In 2025, Florida counted 2,817 homeless veterans, with approximately 800 of them in the Tampa Bay area. It’s heartbreaking to see my brothers and sisters in arms struggling to make ends meet. That is why Hessel House was created.”
To learn more about the Community Service Foundation and the Team Veteran program, visit https://csfhome.org