Homes For Our Troops Residence

Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, constructed a tailor-made home for Marine Lance Corporal Kevin Honaker.

Honaker is a double amputee who was injured in September 2011 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) while on deployment, in Afghanistan. After initial care in Germany, Kevin was transported to Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Md. His eight-month rehabilitation included 12 surgeries and fitting of prosthetic legs. The injury ended what turned out to be a short military career for the young Honaker who, inspired by various family members who had served as members of the United States military, had enlisted right after high school. While it has been nearly 12 years since Honaker’s life was traumatically changed, the building process for his forever home has been swift.

Honaker’s previous home was too small to fit his wheelchair, so he had no choice but to wear his prosthetics all day, causing him much discomfort. Additionally, he could not adequately access the facilities, making showering difficult. J&S Construction proudly partnered with HFOT to craft a custom home with more than 40 major special modifications such as widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower, and kitchen amenities that include pull-down shelving and lowered countertops. The home alleviates mobility and safety issues associated with a traditional home, including having to navigate a wheelchair through narrow hallways and over thresholds or reaching for cabinets that are too high.

The 2,855 square-foot property was kept at one level to ensure Honaker’s freedom and independence were preserved as his family moved into their dream home and even includes sidewalks that wrap the house in its entirety. A safe room with insulated concrete forms and emergency generator were also incorporated that will provide the Honaker family a space of refuge if needed.

HFOT has built over 330 homes since the organization’s inception in 2004, relying on contributions from donors, supporters, and corporate partners for the building of each Veteran’s home.