Hope Continues to Build: A Veteran’s Journey and the Power of Accessible Home Design

Jared Allen Homes for Wounded Warriors is a non-profit organization that builds custom, accessible, and mortgage-free homes for severely wounded U.S. military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The organization's mission was inspired by founder Jared Allen's profound experience during a USO tour to military bases in the Middle East, where he was moved by the soldiers' dedication and sacrifices. In 2020, Shaw Builder + Multifamily joined forces with JAH4WW, driven by the passion of Scott Baker, Shaw's vice president of single-family residential sales and a veteran himself, who felt a deep commitment to supporting the veteran community.

This collaboration has since become a natural and impactful partnership that has resulted in the building of homes for dedicated veterans, such as Specialist Bobby Body of the US Army, and their families.

A Dedicated Hero: Specialist Bobby Body

Specialist Bobby Body, born into a military family, faced a challenging childhood, spending his pre-teen and teen years in a military orphanage. After high school, he attended Ferris State University, studying Criminal Justice and playing rugby. Driven by a deep sense of duty following the 9/11 attacks, SPC Body joined the U.S. Army and was deployed to Iraq in 2005. During a mission in 2006, his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb, leading to severe injuries that eventually required an above-the-knee amputation of his left leg. Despite this, SPC Body's resilience allowed him to walk out of an amputee clinic with a new prosthetic leg in just seven weeks.

With the support of his wife, Erin, and their children, SPC Body has continued to overcome obstacles, becoming a certified peer support specialist and a powerlifting champion with five national and two world records. However, the lack of accessible features in their Michigan home presented daily challenges. In June 2023, Jared Allen Homes for Wounded Warriors and national partners provided SPC Body and his family with a custom, 100% accessible, mortgage-free home, ensuring their safety and comfort. This home enables SPC Body to pursue his passion for powerlifting while living in a secure environment.

Just recently, a custom, 100% accessible, mortgage-free home was unveiled for SPC Body and his family in Michigan.

Accessible and Collaborative Home Design

“Good design is always a collaborative process, and the client is very much a part of it,” says home designer, Tuan Nguyen. “The client is always top of mind during the design process as we are curating a space catered to them.”

Accessible home design is vital for injured veterans because it directly impacts their ability to regain independence and live with dignity after life-altering injuries. For veterans who have sacrificed so much in service to their country, the physical limitations imposed by traditional home designs can be a constant reminder of their injuries, making everyday tasks difficult or impossible. By integrating features like step-free entryways, wider doorways, and adaptive technologies, accessible homes empower these individuals to navigate their living spaces safely and comfortably. This not only enhances their physical well-being but also supports their mental and emotional recovery, providing a foundation for a fulfilling life post-injury.

Wall: Stonehenge 4x12 Polished Statuario TGK02 Color 00151 

Wall: Geoscapes Diamond Dark Grey TGJ79 Color 0550

Floor: Marvel PL MO TG09C Color 00151

For SPC Body and his family, their previous home had dangerous, inaccessible features, such as steep stairs and enclosed showers, that made daily functioning unnecessarily difficult. With the help of Shaw Builder + Multifamily’s durable, long-lasting products, such as countertops, shower tile, and smooth, accessible flooring, the new Body home is wider, step-free and easily adaptable to the entire family. These custom elements in his new home from JAH4WW remove these obstacles and allow for a smooth daily routine that everyone deserves.

Flooring: Prominence Plus Executive Oak Vinyl VE381 Color 05079

Kitchen Backsplash: Del Ray Chevron Whitewater TG43C Color 00100

Proud Partners

Through our partnership with Jared AllenHomes for Wounded Warriors, we’re proud to support the mission of building homes for all qualified applicants. We’re committed to creating flooring solutions that do more than ground a home—they help build better futures for veterans and their communities. By getting involved, you can join a community dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans in a meaningful way, giving them a home built with care and respect where they can truly feel at home.

Be a Hero for Heros

For those looking to contribute to this nonprofit, there are several ways to get involved! You can visit JAH4WW’s website to donate and get involved. Qualifying veterans can apply or share this information to encourage a deserving veteran you know to apply for themselves. You can also follow their LinkedIn account to stay up to date on their upcoming home projects for wounded veterans.