Transitional Home Provides Cushion for Family After Unplanned Exit From Navy
Purchasing a home for their family of eight felt surreal to Navy veterans Whitney and Steven Moore as they signed documents on a house in Georgia. They were confident, though, and knew their dream was becoming reality thanks in large part to Operation Homefront and its Transitional Homes for Veterans (THV) program.
After two years in the program, the Moore family purchased a five-bedroom home spacious enough for the blended family, which includes sons Xavion, 18; Travion, 17; Savion, 16; Malachi, 7; and Zyair, 4; and daughter Savannah, 15.
“My husband and I ask ourselves if we can believe it,” Whitney said. “I never thought I would have a home with a basement and a big backyard.”
Their move came in time for the oldest kids to finish high school.
“My boys and I have seen a lot,” said Whitney, who was struggling to raise the two boys when she enlisted in the Navy in 2009. “I moved 17 times during my time in the military. It was a lot, and I wanted to be able to give my kids a home before they graduate so they know they have a place to come home.”
The family adapted easily to the location because their new neighborhood adjoins the one where they lived as part of the THV program. One goal of THV, which is geared to veterans who served honorably and are within three years of separating, is to place families in homes in the communities where they plan to establish. Families live rent-free for two to three years and receive financial education and support services. The structure allows the opportunity and tools for building savings, reducing debt, and increasing credit scores.
The program is designed as a gateway for stability and support for families working toward self-sufficiency and, ultimately, homeownership. The Moores are among more than 40 families who have completed the THV program since 2018, representing savings of more than $2 million in monthly housing costs.
Whitney cried tears of relief when she received word that her application was accepted for the THV home in Canton, Georgia. The home is among six made possible through Operation Homefront’s generous partnership with Pillsbury.
The Moores struggled and were unhoused for a couple of months during her unexpected separation process that came as they prepared to move to their next duty station in Japan. They had given notice on their rental home and placed their belongings in storage for the PCS move.
In the meantime, Whitney was declared unfit to serve because of health concerns. Though she had planned to stay in the military until retirement, she finished her contract and separated involuntarily after almost 13 years. The abrupt shift left the family without housing and without a plan for civilian life. They lived with friends for about 10 weeks until housing became available for the duration of her service.
They squeezed their family into a three-bedroom, 900-square-foot apartment after relocating to Georgia to be near their support system.
“We got lucky getting into the THV program,” said Whitney, recalling that they hadn’t fully unpacked and that she was unemployed and Steven had not yet received a paycheck from his new job.
“I am so grateful,” she said, remembering finding the freezer and pantry stocked when they moved in and baking sugar cookies with one of her boys. “We had the Pillsbury placard hanging where we could see it as we came in and out of the house.”
The THV program, Whitney said, gave them tools to become successful homeowners. She appreciated financial counseling that helped her develop better spending habits. Paying only utilities and a monthly stipend that was refunded at the end allowed them to pay off debt despite higher grocery costs and unexpected expenses.
“Being in the program gave us wiggle room so we could save,” she said.
“It was tough getting out of the military and uprooting our life. Coming into the THV program and having that cushion was a blessing.” – Whitney Moore, Navy veteran
Whitney became familiar with Operation Homefront through its Holiday Meals for Military® and Back-to-School Brigade® programs. The family also participated in a Star-Spangled Babies® shower for Zyair, and Steven became the first male recipient of a Southern New Hampshire University scholarship awarded to a military spouse in partnership with Operation Homefront. The Moores also turned to the Critical Financial Assistance Program® for grocery funds while they were unhoused.
Together, Whitney and Steven served 19 years in the Navy. He enlisted in 2006 and separated in 2012, before they met. He worked as a personnel specialist and earned the rank of petty officer third class.
Whitney followed a family tradition of military service when she joined the Navy in 2009. Her father served in the Army, and her sister recently completed 20 years in the Air Force.
“I wanted a new path because was becoming a troubled teenager, and I had kids,” she said. “I love helping and making a difference, so I joined the military to protect my family and my country.”
She worked as an aviation ordnanceman and deployed three times to the Persian Gulf for a total of 14 months. Whitney’s older sister helped care for her children while she was at sea.
“It was tough getting out of the military and uprooting our life,” Whitney said. “Coming into the THV program and having that cushion was a blessing. I can’t thank Operation Homefront enough.”
