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By KARA O'CONNOR

Villager Staff Writer


WILTON -- After years of searching, homeless female veterans will finally get their well-deserved housing facility, says Shalini Madaras, head of Female Soldiers, Forgotten Heroes.

"We have been trying to find a housing facility for over two years," said the Wilton resident. "And now after trying several different locations, we finally have a location approved."

Last week, the Bridgeport Zoning Board of Appeals approved the Female Soldier, Forgotten Heroes application for transitional supportive housing. Madaras said the housing facility, located at 66 Elmwood Ave. in Bridgeport, will be the first female veterans housing facility in the state.

"This facility is historic in so many ways," said Madaras. "It's the first housing facility in Connecticut for female veterans. It brings awareness to the women who are serving the country and it educates people about what happens after women come back from serving."

Madaras said it was easier to get this location approved because it was already zoned as a rooming house and will be changed to a group home once the Female Soldiers, Forgotten Heroes move in.

"It's not really a group home -- it's a transitional home -- but they don't have that category," said Madaras. "Either way, we are going to have to make some major changes with this location."

According to Madaras, the application now has to be approved by Bridgeport's Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 30, which she believes won't be a problem. Once the application is approved, the organization can start construction on the property, hopefully by mid-October, she said.

"Construction should take about eight to nine months," said Madaras. "We are planning on making the entire house have a warmer, more homey atmosphere, with wood floors, one kitchen, once dining room and a study. We want the female veterans to feel at home."

Madaras said finding a location in a residential area was not easy, and the biggest hurdle that the organization faced was educating the community on what the Female Soldiers, Forgotten Heroes was truly about.

"It has been a challenge trying to educate people that this program is about helping female veterans who served this country work their way back into a normal life," said Madaras. "All of these women have been honorably discharged and they are just looking for a way to work out their issues and find happiness. This house is the perfect place for these women to find that transition and support their healing process."

The property will house 17 individuals, which includes five rooms for women with children under two years old, and three handicapped beds. Madaras said the project will cost approximately $1.3 million and $250,000 has already been raised.

"The Wilton community has been a huge help raising awareness and money for this project," said Madaras. "And now that awareness has grown, other towns are helping out, which is wonderful. I am so happy that this dream has finally become a reality."

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