Tunnels to Towers Delivers 2,000 Mortgage-Free Homes: October 2026 Milestones

A 25th Anniversary 5K, and a Milestone Within Reach

On Sunday, September 27, 2026, the foundation hosted its 25th Anniversary Tunnel to Towers NYC 5K Run & Walk, the flagship event in a year that marks a quarter century since 9/11. A special FOX 5 program on the race and the mission aired on September 29, bringing the story of mortgage-free homes for heroes to a national audience.

The numbers behind the anniversary are remarkable. By the end of 2026, the foundation says it will have delivered more than 2,000 mortgage-free homes to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, and to Gold Star and fallen first-responder families. It has committed over $1 billion to its programs, and this year alone it is delivering 343 mortgage-free homes, one for every FDNY member lost on September 11, 2001.

I have written about this mission before, including the 55 mortgage payoffs announced on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the inaugural Chicago Tower Climb that raised $44,000 in September: Tunnels to Towers Pays Off 55 More Mortgages on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11. Now the mission is entering October with new ground breaking literally.

October 21: Detroit Veterans Village Grand Opening

On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the foundation celebrates the Detroit Veterans Village grand opening, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The village is part of the foundation's drive to end veteran homelessness, pairing housing with supportive services that have reached 17,500+ veterans. Michigan officials list the event on the state veterans affairs calendar, so you can confirm details there: michigan.gov/mvaa.

October 28: Northfield, New Jersey Veterans Village Groundbreaking

Later in the month, construction begins on another Veterans Village. The Northfield, New Jersey groundbreaking is set for Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 1823 Wabash Avenue, the former Arthur R. Henry Inc. site. Local media have reported both an 11 a.m. and a 6 p.m. ceremony time, so please confirm the exact time with the foundation or the city before you go: Ocean City Sentinel coverage.

Each new Veterans Village represents the same promise: a stable roof for a family that served our country. When a hero family has a place to call home, the ripple effects touch schools, neighborhoods, and the whole community.

A Southern California Connection

This mission is not just a national story. Southern California has played its own part this year. The foundation hosted its first Southern California 5K Run & Walk at Huntington City Beach on September 19, a milestone I wrote about in August: Tunnels to Towers Huntington Beach 5K: Why This September Event Matters for Southern California. The "Steel Across America" tour also carried the World Trade Center beam through the region, stopping at the West LA Veterans Campus in June.

For Santa Clarita families, the lesson is simple: supporting heroes is something we can all do close to home. Attend a local event, donate what you can, share the story, and remember the families who gave so much.

Why I Support This Mission

My commitment to Service Before Self is why I support the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. As a U.S. Army veteran, I know what it means to lean on brothers and sisters in service. As a REALTOR who works with veterans, first responders, and special-needs families every day, I see what the security and stability of homeownership do for people. Housing is not just a transaction. It is the foundation for everything else: health, school, work, and family life.

That is also why I say real estate is about people, not just properties. When I help a veteran family find home in Santa Clarita, or guide a Gold Star spouse through a trust sale, I am carrying the same spirit the foundation carries: service before self, one family at a time.

How You Can Help

There are three easy ways to support the mission this month:

• Donate or fundraise: Every dollar goes directly toward mortgage-free homes and veteran housing. Visit t2t.org to give or start a team.
• Show up locally: If you live near Northfield or Detroit, attend the October ceremonies. If you are in Southern California, watch for the next local 5K or community event in your area.
• Share the story: A veteran or first-responder family in your own network may not know about the mortgage assistance and housing support available to them. Sharing this article is an easy way to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions