The Tunnel to Towers Foundation broke ground on its Island Park Veterans Village, marking the start of a major housing initiative for veterans at the site of the former Long Beach Motor Inn.
The project, at 3915 Austin Blvd., will transform the former motel — long considered a blighted property associated with crime and neglect — into a 58-unit affordable housing complex for veterans.
Nassau County transferred ownership of the property to the foundation in November 2025 after years of debate over what should replace the former motel. Construction is expected to finish by the end of 2027, with a grand opening in 2028. Veterans can begin applying for leases in the next year.
“This is the start of the Veterans Village that will offer more than just a roof,” John Carroll, a member of the Tunnel toTowers executive board, said during the April 17 groundbreaking ceremony. “It will provide comprehensive mental health, legal and career support that these veterans deserve.”
The ceremony opened with a presentation of the colors by the Island Park Fire Department, Nassau County Police Department and Fort Hamilton Honor Guard, followed by an invocation from Father Gerard Gordon of the Nassau County Police Department.
“Our flag silently speaks to us of the countless men and women who have sacrificed all for us,” Gordon said.
Carroll, a retired member of the New York City Fire Department, reflected on his own experiences responding to the Sept. 11 attacks and thanked police and fire departments for helping the city in the aftermath. He also noted the current project would not be possible without the support of donors, volunteers, elected officials and the foundation’s monthly contributors.
“We are blessed by a powerful network of support,” he said. “Together, you make this cause possible.”
Jeanna DellaRagione, Tunnel to Towers chief operating officer, thanked local officials, contractors, sponsors and Nassau County residents for making the project a reality.
“These days are beautiful milestones on our journey to help our military heroes,” DellaRagione said. “A massive thank you to the residents of Nassau County for welcoming Tunnel to Towers into their community.”
The Island Park project is part of Tunnel to Towers’ broader effort to combat veteran homelessness nationwide.
Gavin Naples, senior vice president of the foundation’s homeless veterans’ program, said the organization has made it a priority to provide long-term supportive housing for veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes.
“We made a promise that if you signed up to protect our freedoms, you’re not going to have to worry about where you lay your head,” Naples said.
He continued to emphasize that the Island Park development is designed to do more than provide shelter.
“It’s not enough to just provide a home,” Naples said. “You have to address those root causes to make sure that we’re providing a platform of rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community.”
Since launching its effort to eradicate veteran homelessness in 2023, Tunnel to Towers has provided more than 20,000 veterans and 10,000 children with access to housing and supportive services.
Naples said the foundation plans to build veterans villages in more than 100 cities over the next decade, creating more than 12,500 units of supportive housing across the country.
“It’s simple in its concept, but it’s powerful in its impact,” Naples said. “Affordable housing is not a veteran issue. It’s an American issue.”
Frank Siller, Tunnel to Towers chairman and CEO, said the organization was founded after the Sept. 11 attacks to honor the memory of his brother, Stephen, a firefighter who died after running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center.
“When we found out what he did, we knew we had to do something to honor what he did and the sacrifice of so many men and women that gave their lives,” Siller said.
The foundation originally planned to provide scholarships for children who lost parents in the attacks, but its mission quickly expanded to include mortgage-free homes for injured veterans, Gold Star families and first responders.
By the end of this year, Siller said, the organization will have delivered more than 2,000 mortgage-free homes.
“We are keeping this promise to never forget and to honor them,” he said. “What better way than to do good than the good that we are doing.”
