Bowie Makes Space for Disabled Veterans

Bowie’s B section is saying goodbye to a foreclosed property and hello to a new neighbor, courtesy of the OpenDoor Housing Fund, a non-profit that works make affordable housing more affordable in Maryland.

Currently, the organization is rehabbing a real estate owned (REO) property on Bosworth Lane, that is expected to go on the market in August, and will be sold to a disabled veteran.

“We recognized that affordable housing is an issue for everybody, but especially for those who’ve served in the military,” said Jerry Konohia, OpenDoor’s president and CEO.

OpenDoor recently remodeled an REO specifically for veterans just outside of Bowie, and had multiple offers in a 48-hour period. By partnering with Bank of America, OpenDoor is able to both increase the availability of housing to veterans and reduce the blight caused by vacant REOs.

The organization works to make sure all renovations are top of the line, so that the homes will bring value back to the neighborhoods.

“They will be a credit not only to the community, but to the people who buy them,” Konohia said.

This project is a fitting one for Bowie, which was originally a Levitt community, designed with affordable housing for veterans in mind more than 50 year ago.

The idea behind these renovations, said OpenDoor board chair Michael Wiencek, Jr., is changing perspectives and improving lives.

“I believe this change in the housing give them change in their lives, gives them the sense that movement forward is possible,” Weincek said.

The neighbors on Bosworth lane could not be more pleased that the long-vacant home in the 2800 block is being renovated, or that the property is earmarked for a veteran.

“We’re just happy to have it rehabbed because it was really going downhill,” Ruth Miller, a local resident said. “We’re really happy it’s going to a disabled veteran,” she added.

The neighborhood, said Miller, is a friendly one, with frequent block parties and community cookouts. There are already several veterans that live on Bosworth Lane.

“[A veteran] will be a nice neighbor for us,” former Army Ranger Jim Stevenson said. “I think it’s a great idea.”

The home on Bosworth Lane is currently under construction, but OpenDoor estimates it will be completed by the end of August. At that time, it will go on the market for disabled veterans exclusively for up to 90 days.