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LEXINGTON - The Lexington City Council approved a $500,000 block grant to help fund a project for permanent housing and services for veterans. The two-phase project calls for renovating existing housing on S. State Street and W. Sixth Avenue and providing a total of 45 units for military veterans.

"We are adamant about getting this up and underway in August of this year,” said Terrance Gerald, president of the Lexington Housing Authority, one of several agencies involved in the project. “For every day that we postpone it that's another veteran out here on the street, homeless, or another veteran who may need permanent housing."

The first phase will include 12 units, which could be ready for move-in in early 2013.

"We will have state-of-the-art as far as utilities, energy efficient appliances,” said Gerald. “Right now, these 12 all have hardwood floors, crown molding."

A home that once housed Hospice of Davidson County will provide space for much-needed services.

"Such as possibly a doctor coming weekly to address any concerns they may have medically,” said Gerald. But in addition to that we're also hoping to look at possible job opportunities here."

Gerald said the future campus would provide veterans a place they need and deserve.

“A place for them to lay their head that makes them feel like that we as a city, we as a county, we as a state, we as a country care and we're thankful for what they did in serving our country," he said.

People in the community agree.

"We need to take care of our veterans,” said Martha Nance. “They've sacrificed a lot for our country. I know several and they definitely need the help and they would appreciate it."

Gerald said phase two of the $7 million project could get underway in mid-2013.