Transitional Housing Program Puts Veteran on Path to Home Purchase
Kasia Adamietz of Florida recently added homeowner to a list of titles that already included spouse, mom, Army veteran, soon-to-be college graduate, and cancer survivor.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” said Kasia, who attributes much of her family’s success to Operation Homefront’s Transitional Homes for Veterans (THV) program.
When Kasia and her family entered the program in 2021, she was facing medical retirement after undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Like many military families, they were uncertain about establishing footing in the civilian world.
Kasia enlisted in the Army in 2015 after college. She wanted to serve our country and gain direction and discipline. She initially worked as a paralegal and then trained as a pharmacy technician.
In 2019, she was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, and envisioning a full military career as she applied to an Army veterinarian program.
One day while breastfeeding Sasha, then 1, Kasia felt a lump. Initially, doctors told her she had a clogged milk duct. Further testing, though, revealed that she had Stage 2B breast cancer that had spread to a lymph node.
Despite being only in her 20s and having no family history of breast cancer, Kasia became a cancer patient facing mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. With treatment came complications and the transition to civilian life.
“Many service members don’t understand how difficult the transition is,” Kasia said.
Steven, who works in insurance sales, reduced his workload to care for the girls and Kasia. With that and the pandemic shutdown, his income dropped. Meanwhile, the family racked up about $400 a month just in gasoline costs for travel to Kasia’s medical appointments.
“My income got cut in half, but the bills didn’t change,” Steven said. “We were trying to keep our heads above water.”
A fellow veteran at a retreat for cancer patients told Kasia about the THV program. She remembers the joy she felt when learning her application was approved and her family was chosen for a THV home in Zephyrhills, Florida, made possible through the generosity of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation.
“It was like the world fell off my shoulders,” said Kasia, who learned of her acceptance to the University of South Florida in Tampa just a few days before the call about the THV program. “Operation Homefront relieved so much of our worry about finding a house to rent or buy in this market. I can’t describe the feeling.”
The Adamietz family is one of about 30 that have completed the THV program, which is designed as a gateway for stability and support for families working toward self-sufficiency and, ultimately, homeownership. It is geared to veterans who served honorably and are within three years of separating.
“(Operation Homefront) gave us a chance to breathe and become homeowners.” – Kasia Adamietz, Army veteran
Families selected for the program receive not only rent-free housing for about two to three years but also financial education and support services in communities where they plan to establish roots. The program provides the opportunity and tools for building savings, reducing debt, and increasing credit scores.
When the Adamietzes completed the program, they were able to buy their new home in in Ocala, Florida, bringing with them skills they learned during their 2½ years in the THV program. Reviewing expenses and setting savings goals has become their norm. No matter how busy the family is, they seldom splurge on dining out, and they don’t spend recklessly on the weekends.
“When I was growing up, my family was very quiet about finances. I had no clue about how things work,” Kasia said. Because of that, she began racking up credit card debt in college.
“Now we’re mindful of exactly what we’re spending and how it affects the future, next week, and the bills for the rest of the month, she said.”
The Adamietzes are also cultivating budgeting habits in older daughters Sasha, 8, and Laila, 6, illustrating the generational impact of Operation Homefront’s programs.
“Our children have their own little bank accounts, and when we go somewhere, they can spend their own money,” Kasia said. As daughter Truth, 2, and infant son Titan grow up, they, too, will get lessons in saving money and budgeting.
Kasia and Steven reflect on their gratitude for the THV program and those who made it possible.
“The THV program has made our dreams come true,” Kasia said. “We wanted to move to Florida, and we didn’t know how because we were in debt, and I was sick. (Operation Homefront) gave us a chance to breathe and become homeowners.”
