Tunnel to Towers Starts 124-Unit Veterans Project in Berkeley

Tunnel to Towers has broken ground on housing for veterans in Berkeley, New Jersey. The project includes 99 apartments and 25 houses on Atlantic City Blvd. A shared space will offer behavioral health services, legal aid, and peer support.

Mayor John Bacchione spoke at a recent Township Council meeting. Officials from the nonprofit give weekly updates to the town, he said. Workers are preparing the land now.

"More than likely, January or February they will get the first home in the ground," said Bacchione, according to Jersey Shore Online. "It's a project that's a long time coming."

The houses are modular. They'll arrive finished. Crews will secure them and connect utilities.

All units at the Route 9 spot will be deed-restricted for veterans. Services the organization doesn't provide will come through partnerships with local caregivers.

Frank Siller runs the nonprofit as CEO. It takes its name from his brother Stephen Siller, who worked as a firefighter in New York City. Stephen had finished his night shift on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

He was heading to play golf with his three brothers when he turned around to help after the attacks. The Brooklyn Battery was closed for security purposes, so he left his truck and carried 60 pounds of gear on foot toward the smoke. Frank Siller assumes his brother met up with the rest of his company at the south tower. His family never saw him again.

The organization has provided housing or support for more than 10,000 vets since it started. New Jersey has 600 homeless veterans, though that number is probably low because many go uncounted.

A township-owned property at 821 Route 9 will work as a staging area. The site is a closed gas station and mechanic's shop located just south of the post office.

The ceremonial groundbreaking took place in late spring.