My name is Franklin G. Hotchkiss III and I am presently a HUD-VASH recipient and this is my testimony.

I am service-connected disabled Veteran who became homeless in 2008 – November 27th, 2008 to be exact. That was the day I got out of prison. I was incarcerated on a four-year sentence for felony DWI and possession of a controlled substance.

I was baptized in the Holy Spirit in the Gurney Unit of TDCJ, and rededicated my life to Christ. Although I was paroled on November 27th, 2008 and I had rededicated my life, that didn’t mean my life became perfect. I struggled with homelessness and substance abuse which made it very difficult to become a contributing member of society. I sought help through many avenues about both my homelessness and substance abuse issues.

I was taken in by my ex-wife in Cooke County and then by some wonderful friends from my church.

In June of 2014 I was awarded Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation benefits from the VA and am now attending Grayson College pursing a degree in Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counseling. I have been clean of any substance abuse for 21 months.

Approximately November, just before Thanksgiving 2014, I was re-acquainted with an old friend who is a HUD-VASH recipient. He told me of his life’s turmoil the last 3 to 4 years and how the HUD-VASH program had changed his life, I applied… and on April 9, 2015 I was approved for the program.

Having housing assistance has given me a new lease on life. This new freedom has given me back my self-esteem, self-worth, and independence. I can now pursue my educational goals at college and have my own place to come home to – to study, cook, sleep and live independently – something I have not experienced in over 9 years.

The HUD-VASH program not only provides me with housing assistance, but through the VA it also provides may other valuable services that help me in achieving my goals and maintaining my sobriety.

I am personally grateful to the Veteran’s Administration and the HUD-VASH program for helping me by giving me this new lease on life and helping me to become a functioning and contributing member of society, a long standing dream.

How you can help

By making a contribution, you can help give a Veteran a fresh start, a place to call HOME.

Donation Type

You may choose to donate an amount different than what is listed below (minimum $5 increments). Simply select one of the values from the drop down menu and continue to PayPal. The payment form will allow you to adjust the quantity of the denomination you select.

Make a choiceHome Sweet Home (All Categories) $2,500.00 USDBunker (Living Room Essentials) $1,000.00 USDRack Room (Bedroom Essentials) $700.00 USDFront Line Funding (Deposit Assistance) $300.00 USDKitchen Patrol (Kitchen Essentials) $250.00 USDLatrine Duty (Bathroom Essentials) $150.00 USDSquared Away (Cleaning Essentials) $100.00 USD
50 Dollars $50.00 USD25 Dollars $25.00 USD10 Dollars $10.00 USD5 Dollars $5.00 USD

If you would like to make a contribution in an amount other than what is listed above, please contact Rayleen Bingham at (903) 813-3536.