Goal #1

ECO has a successful and established history of assisting those needing housing.  Such services include a continuum of care from emergency motel vouchers to transitional living units.  The development at 210 West Fulton Street will create an additional six units of supportive housing in one and two-bedroom ADA-compliant floorplans.  The goal of the new units will be to serve Veterans/and or households in which one member are a Veteran. 

Many communities nationwide face a housing shortage – ours is no exception.  The rental vacancy in Rock County Wisconsin is between 1-2%.  Male Veterans in Rock County have a transitional housing option at Rock County Community Programs near Beloit.  Veterans and the general public have access to Housing Choice Vouchers, but with the low vacancy rate finding housing can be difficult. Building Hope at at 210 West Fulton Street will create new housing opportunities for Veterans, especially females and households with children.

Goal #2

For many years Edgerton’s local VFW Post 2708 and other Veteran groups have been without dedicated meeting space in our community.  The Edgerton Veteran’s Building was built in 1963 creating a space for our local veterans to meet.  This facility also hosted many other community events.  Over the years the Edgerton Veteran’s building has been leased to commercial tenants making it difficult for hosting meetings for our local Veterans.  During much of the same above mentioned time period VFW Post 2708 owned a “clubhouse” in Veterans Memorial Park.  This property was utilized for meetings, but as years passed maintenance costs grew to the point of unaffordability and VFW Post 2708 sold the property in 2010.  Funds have been set aside since that time for a future home for the Post.  Many options have been explored over the years.  The renovated space at 212 West Fulton Street will have a meeting room, a kitchen, storage/display space to house documents preserving the history of those who served for our freedom, and will be completely ADA accessible.  This site will also create a home base and safe space for Veterans to reach out to Veterans.

Goal #3

The building at 210 West Fulton Street is the oldest building in Edgerton’s downtown.  The unique three-story building has a large corner footprint in the heart of downtown.  After nearly 170 years, the building will get much-needed TLC while maintaining its historical feel and relevance. Without action, the building will eventually fall into disrepair and be demolished.