CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — For veterans going to college, affordable housing is usually a major issue.
At Penn State, a former frat house is getting a new life in providing a home to the university's veterans fraternity.
“As you can see, what the colors were kinda institutional in here and we’re repainting to give it a warmer feel for the veterans.”
Bill McCamley has spent a good portion of his life in service to his country, and other veterans.
“I’m a vet, in the Vietnam war, now the president of the Veterans Club of State College,” McCamley explained.
McCamley, a retired builder, now semi-retired, is heading a project to refurbish a fraternity house in State College, five blocks from campus, into a new home for Penn State's student veteran fraternity -- Omega Delta Sigma.
Omega Delta Sigma president, Dexter Mills, says, “It’s a huge deal. We get a living stipend, but it’s tough in State College because housing is so expensive.”
The project has involved several hurdles to clear approval from both Penn State and the borough, and the pandemic.
“A big kitchen, we’ve found out about supply chain problem.”
Not only in ordering appliances, building materials and other items, but also in finding labor for the house makeover.
Other veterans have stepped in too.
They have been on board in the planning stages and they have done work here as volunteers when we couldn’t find professional labor.
Community groups also helping, such as the State College Elks.
“To help vets in State College especially and when Bill called me and invited me to come over, I thought this is right up our alley,” said W. F. Reiber with the Elks.
It’s hoped the house will be move-in ready for 34 student veterans within a few weeks, while other renovation work continues.
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