On a warm June morning, just days before Flag Day—a time when our nation reflects on service, sacrifice, and unity—Aspire Health Partners welcomed community leaders, advocates, and public officials to a ceremonial groundbreaking on Rio Grande Avenue in Orlando. Held at the site of an already active construction zone, the event marked a significant milestone in Aspire’s ongoing mission to serve the most vulnerable among us: veterans experiencing homelessness. The Collage Companies, serving as the general contractor for the project, is helping bring this important vision to life.
As construction crews continued their work in the background, golden shovels turned symbolically in freshly marked soil—honoring not only the progress being made but the lives this project will transform. The new Aspire Veterans Housing Project will bring 48 single-occupancy studio apartments to Orange County, offering dignity, privacy, and stability for veterans in need of a safe place to call home.
Each 225-square-foot unit includes a private living and sleeping area along with an ADA-compliant bathroom—features that exceed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs minimum standards and reflect Aspire’s commitment to trauma-informed, veteran-centered care. Rooted in decades of service to individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, Aspire has designed this project not just as housing, but as a foundation for healing, independence, and long-term recovery.
“This state-of-the-art facility represents a future where no veteran is left behind,” said Babette Hankey, President and CEO of Aspire Health Partners. “More than a roof over their heads, this project is a beacon of stability—an environment where they can rebuild, heal, and thrive. The wrap-around services available will ensure access to healthcare, employment assistance, and community support, helping veterans transition into a self-sufficient life.”
The $7 million initiative is being made possible through a blend of public and private support, including a $3.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and $1 million in funding from the State of Florida. Aspire Health Partners leads the project, working in partnership with RS&H as architect and The Collage Companies as general contractor.
While Collage’s role is to oversee construction, their involvement runs deeper than the physical build. “This isn’t just another project—it’s a purpose,” said Jim Beusse of The Collage Companies. “We’re honored to help create a space that will change lives, and proud to work with partners who share a mission to serve those who’ve served.”
Orange County District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott, who spoke during the event, acknowledged that this facility reflects more than just progress on paper—it embodies the county’s broader commitment to addressing homelessness through strong partnerships and people-first solutions. The Aspire project underscores the county’s investment in long-term impact: a community where every veteran is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.
As Aspire’s Veterans Housing Project rises from the ground, it does so with purpose. The ceremonial groundbreaking may have lasted just an hour, but its meaning will echo far longer—for the veterans who will live there, for the community that rallied behind them, and for the partners who helped bring it to life. Completion is expected in 2026, but already, this place is becoming what it was always meant to be: a foundation for healing, a space of stability, and a new beginning for those who’ve served.
From Left to Right:
Daniel Bennett, RS&H
Jim Beusse, The Collage Companies
Ron Nesbit, Board Chair, Aspire Health Partners
Babette Hankey, President & CEO, Aspire Health Partners
Orange County District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott
Alnita Whitt, Orange County Veteran Services Officer
Michael Goldstein, Legislative Aide to Florida State Senator Jason Brodeur
Jeffrey Smith, RS&H
The Collage Companies is honored to partner on this vital initiative, continuing its long-standing commitment to building spaces that strengthen communities and serve those most in need.