Army Veteran Receives Gift of a Mortgage-Free Home from Nonprofit in Port Orange

PORT ORANGE, Fla. – A wave of cheers and applause erupted in a tranquil Port Orange neighborhood as Army veteran Eric Trinidad and his wife Ariana celebrated the opening of their new home by cutting a ribbon.

This mortgage-free residence was provided by Homes For Our Troops, a national nonprofit dedicated to constructing and donating specially-adapted homes for post-9/11 veterans with severe injuries.

Having served in Afghanistan, Trinidad sustained a traumatic brain injury that resulted in near-total blindness. For him, this home signifies more than just a roof over his head.

“Returning from military service can be a daunting experience — uncertain about the future and reliant on others,” Trinidad remarked. “It’s been overwhelming, but learning to ask for assistance is a significant part of what this house represents.”

The home in Port Orange stands out with its unique design, boasting over 40 accessibility features tailored to enable Trinidad’s independence. These include voice-activated systems, wave-to-open doors, and tactile safety bumps at the driveway’s end to indicate when he’s approaching the sidewalk.

According to Tom Landwermeyer, President and CEO of Homes For Our Troops, the organization has completed 428 homes across the nation, yet its core mission remains steadfast.

“They went to war and sacrificed for our freedom and independence,” Landwermeyer said. “When you depend on somebody, you’re no longer independent. All they want is to be as normal as anybody else — to be a good parent, a good spouse, and a value-added member of the family.”

The program allows veterans to choose where they want to live, something Trinidad said made Port Orange the right fit.

“I love Port Orange. I’m here every day,” he said. “Knowing I’ll be welcome in this community, that peace of mind is priceless and bigger than any house.”

For Trinidad, the new home is not just about rebuilding his future, it’s about reclaiming his independence.

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