A disabled veteran who spent years serving this country is still serving, only now it’s in his own backyard.
After serving in the Korean War, Hakim Rasheed returned to Winter Haven and began serving the people in his Florence Villa Community.
“I wanted to help my community. I’ve always worked in the community as a firefighter/paramedic EMT. I came out of the army and I was a coach, coached basketball and football,” Hakim Rasheed said.
Rasheed kept hearing about the need for affordable housing in Winter Haven, so he went to work.
“I bought about half of the block. I got about nine or 10 lots on the street here,” Rasheed said.
The disabled veteran has purchased property spanning half the block of his childhood neighborhood. He is now using his land to build apartments for veterans in need.
“When they come out, they come out broken. Some of them can’t live on their own even if they wanted to. They need care, even if they have an apartment,” Rasheed said.
The four apartment buildings will include 16 units. People who can’t afford the rising cost of living, including seniors and those facing homelessness, will also be eligible to live there.