Nassau rebuilds housing for military vets

A rough road is smoothing out for two U.S. Army veterans who were on hand Tuesday when County Executive Edward Mangano announced the completion of the first of 42 houses Nassau is renovating in Mitchel Field for county veterans.

Former Master Sgt. Carlos Berrios, 62, and former E-4 Spc. Dora Mayfield, 37, are the first occupants of the county-owned, three-bedroom duplexes. Both had experienced rough patches, including homelessness.

"No veteran should be left homeless," said Mangano at the ribbon cutting for four of the homes in East Garden City. "It is my hope that our program will serve as a national model that recognizes veterans for their selfless service and dedication to our nation."

Berrios, formerly of Manhattan, retired in 1992 after 28 years in the Army. He lived in the Dominican Republic off and on for 15 years, working for various military firms -- the last five years as a maintenance supervisor for combat equipment in Iraq. He said that after returning to the United States in 2009, he could not find a job.

"My wife passed away in 2010," said Berrios, who has two children. "Then I moved in with my sister in Uniondale, and she passed away a few months ago." He moved into his Mitchel Field house about six weeks ago with his son, 14, and his daughter, 9.

Mayfield received a medical discharge in 2005 for congestive heart problems after serving six years, working mostly in transportation services. She spent her last year in Kuwait. Separated from her husband since 2007, she is raising her four children, ages 7, 9, 14 and 16, she said. The house in which she lived in Long Beach caught fire in November, and she moved in with an aunt who died earlier this year.

"This is a godsend, especially for the children," said Mayfield, adding that she has been able to find only low-paying jobs. "Now if I only had a car."

The county took ownership from the U.S. Navy in April, at no cost, of the 23-acre property that includes 60 homes. County officials said each renovation costs about $17,000, which is covered by the rents.

Nassau is working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Community Development Corporation of Long Island to identify veterans' eligibility by income and other factors for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program that gives housing vouchers to qualified veterans.

The county plans to keep the 18 other houses for active duty personnel, some of whom are already in place and paying rent.