The Northern Nevada Veterans Coalition has selected one veteran and his family to live rent-free for an entire year inside a remodeled home.
The veteran selected is Dillon Erickson and he was recently discharged from the army.
Like many other vets that have come before him, he says making the adjustment back into civilian life can be a challenge.
"I'm home, going to raise my family, just got out in November, ready to move forward," says Erickson.
With the help of Nevada State Bank, Dillon, his wife Vanessa, and his newly born twins, will all live inside the donated home.
"It's overwhelming at the moment, taking it all in, it's just a huge, huge help to our family," says Erickson.
Dillon officially received the keys to what's called the Heroes Hand Up House on Tuesday.
Stephanie Arroyo, Co-Chair of the Heroes Hand Up House committee, says the house has even received some nice touch-ups before the move in.
"We got beautiful floors, we got beautiful paint, we got new counters and new cabinets and appliances," says Arroyo.
The Erickson family also received housewarming gifts from members of the Fernley community.
Terry Shirey, President and Chief Operating Officer of Nevada State Bank, says for the next year, Dillon will be given financial literacy tips and the help needed to find a good job.
"Particularly a young person just transferring out of the military, it can be very valuable for them to understand how they can own their own home in the future and what steps need to be taken," says Shirey.
Erickson says his favorite thing about the program is that once his year is up, another veteran will be chosen, and that family will receive the same help that he did.
"You usually don't want to take a hand up like this or anything like that but it really is going to be a huge help and if somebody needs help, absolutely put an application in for this thing, that's what I recommend," says Erickson.
The Heroes Hand Up House committee hopes to add another house into Northern Nevada in the future, that way they can help even more veterans and their families.
