Transitional Home Brings Dual-Military Parents Closer to Family
Navy veterans Olivia and Brandon Price discharged from the service in San Diego, California, and were unsure how they would be able to afford to move their family of four halfway across the country to the Midwest, where Brandon’s family lives, and have the financial stability to buy a home.
Then, Olivia heard about Operation Homefront’s housing programs from a friend while Olivia was in the process of being medically retired.
“I didn’t even believe it was real,” she said.
Olivia and Brandon first moved into the Operation Homefront Transitional Housing (Villages) in San Diego in 2022. While in that program, they heard about the Transitional Homes for Veterans (THV) program. Through the program, veterans who are within 12 months of discharge can live rent-free for two to three years as they build savings, reduce debt, and become established in careers and the community.
They applied and they are set to move into their THV home in Yorkville, Illinois, this spring.
“We’re just very grateful and blessed to have been given the opportunity to provide the stability our family needs.” – Olivia Price, Navy veteran
Brandon’s parents will now be 45 minutes away from their grandchildren, Aurora, 3, and Artimas, 6 months, while Brandon will be in the same area as his 11-year-old daughter from a previous marriage.
The family is eager to see their new home.
“I’m excited for my kids to have their own rooms and space,” Olivia said. “And I’m excited for us to save up money to buy a forever home and pay off debt.”
Brandon, an electrician, already has a job interview. Olivia recently received her degree for medical assisting and plans to return to school to become a registered nurse. The parents have also heard good things about the school system.
“We’re just very grateful and blessed to have been given the opportunity to provide the stability our family needs,” Olivia said.
Stability was the reason Olivia first joined the military. Her family life was not a positive one, and she joined the Navy at 18. She was medically discharged four years later.
She and Brandon met in the Navy before they were given their ship assignments. He served for about 4 ½ years before honorably discharging.
“Thank you 100 times over,” Olivia said. “We are beyond grateful to have been given the opportunity. We feel very blessed.”
