Why This Matters

While many programs focus on veterans experiencing homelessness, millions of veterans face a quieter but equally serious challenge: housing that consumes too much of their income. Nearly 4 million veterans spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and more than 1.5 million spend over half of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. When housing costs reach this level, it becomes difficult to afford basic necessities such as healthcare, food, transportation, and utilities.

For older adults, the risk is even greater. Seniors are now the fastest-growing populations experiencing homelessness, and researchers project that senior homelessness could triple by 2030 if housing affordability challenges continue. Many veterans living on fixed retirement or disability incomes are especially vulnerable when rising rents outpace their ability to pay.

Veteran Homes of Honor is designed to address this gap before housing instability becomes homelessness. By developing small, modern homes designed specifically for senior veterans, we aim to provide stable, affordable housing that allows veterans to maintain independence, dignity, and financial security.

Our pilot community of ten 600-square-foot homes will demonstrate a practical and sustainable model that can prevent housing instability before it becomes homelessness. Through partnerships with local governments, financial institutions, veteran organizations, and community supporters, Veteran Homes of Honor is working to create a scalable approach that can help more veterans remain securely housed in the communities they served.

We all need a place to call home. However, it is priceless when God is the foundation and the guiding force behind it. This stresses our dependence on God rather than on human strength alone.

Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.

Meet Our Impactful Team

Ron Kelso

Ron Kelso is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Veteran Homes of Honor. With more than five decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, education, and administration, Ron has built a lifelong reputation for service, collaboration, and community impact. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Business from Triton College, a Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s in Administration from Northern Illinois University, along with over 60 hours of post-graduate study. Throughout his career, Ron has consistently served in leadership roles, where he is known for empowering others and fostering strong, mission-driven teams that results in sustainable improvements. For 20 years, Ron was passionately involved with Habitat for Humanity, where his service was honored in 2015 with the Hero Award for Lifetime Achievement for the State of Illinois—an award presented to only one recipient that year. He also served as Grants Manager on the Board of the Chapel on the Green Historical Society and remains deeply engaged in church and community volunteer initiatives. Ron’s passion lies in offering a hand-up instead a handout—building bridges between community, faith, and those needing help to improve their lives.

John Bedell

John Bedell serves on the Board of Directors for Veteran Homes of Honor. In that role John provides leadership and guidance to support the organization’s mission of creating safe, supportive housing for those who have served our country. John holds a bachelor’s degree in Religion from Nyack College in New York and also attended the Alliance Theological Seminary for two years. He went on to serve as Director of Urban Youth Ministry at Wayside Cross Ministries in Aurora, IL, for ten years, where he helped shape programs that uplifted and empowered young people through faith and community support. In addition to his ministry service, John has been a small business owner for more than 25 years, successfully operating his own home painting business. His entrepreneurial experience reflects his work ethic, integrity, and commitment to serving people both professionally and personally. With a heart for service and a commitment to community, John brings valuable insight, stewardship, and dedication to helping veterans rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. His involvement reflects a shared belief in the power of faith, compassion, and collective action to make lasting change.

Tom McCall

Tom McCall is a U.S. Army veteran, experienced construction professional, accomplished marathoner, and a man of deep faith and purpose. He served as an infantryman and Sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 1994, where he developed the discipline, resilience, and leadership that continue to define his life and work today. Following his military service, Tom built a respected career in the construction industry—first as a laborer with Local 477 in Springfield, Illinois, and later rising to Foreman at Evans Construction. His hands-on expertise and leadership in the field made him a trusted figure in both commercial and residential construction. He also owned and operated his own business, further honing his skills in management, communication, and service. Tom’s dedication to endurance and personal growth is exemplified by his athletic achievements. In 2025, he qualified for and completed the Boston Marathon and also ran in the Chicago Marathon in October 2025 both with an impressive times. As a Founder and Veteran Partnership Manager of Veteran Homes of Honor, Tom brings his military experience, professional expertise, and faith to serve those who served. His role focuses on building partnerships that connect veterans to stable housing, community-based resources, and faith-driven support. Tom McCall’s life is a testament to perseverance, purpose, and the power of service. His vision and leadership are vital to the mission of restoring dignity and hope to America’s veterans

Founder, Church and Faith Manager, and Board Member

Founder and Chairman of the Board

Founder, Veteran Partnership Manager, and Board Member

Marc Mercado serves as a Board Member of Veteran Homes of Honor, where he plays a critical leadership role in launching the organization and guiding its mission to provide safe, stable, and affordable housing for veterans. He brings a wealth of expertise in nonprofit leadership, housing development, and systems innovation, ensuring that Veteran Homes of Honor is built on a foundation of sustainability and long-term impact. Marc is also the Co-Founder and President of TeachTeam NFP, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through housing, education, and workforce development. With a background in law and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, he has guided TeachTeam to secure millions in state and federal funding across Illinois and Florida. Under his leadership, the organization has provided housing, supported employment, food assistance, and wraparound services to hundreds of formerly homeless individuals and families. He has also served in senior leadership roles as Interim Executive Director of YWCA Quincy and as Solution Architect for Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity, overseeing multimillion-dollar housing developments and large-scale initiatives that combine technology with human-centered impact. Marc's work reflects his lifelong commitment to creating pathways of opportunity-helping individuals and families move from crisis to stability, and from stability to lasting success.

Marc Mercado

Director of Development and Board Member

Project Progress & Community Partnerships

Key Initiative: Developing a pilot community of 10 affordable 600-square-foot homes for senior veterans in Kendall and Kane Counties, creating a pathway to stable housing and homeownership.

Veteran Homes of Honor continues to build momentum through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and funding initiatives aimed at creating stable housing opportunities for veterans in need.

• Veteran Homes of Honor has engaged with Veterans of Illinois to explore a coordinated approach to supporting veterans facing critical needs, including stable housing. We have also presented our housing initiative to Congressman Bill Foster and the mayor in Aurora, Illinois, outlining our plan to develop a sustainable housing solution for veterans through strategic community partnerships.

• Veteran Homes of Honor is actively pursuing grant funding to acquire land for our pilot community of 10 micro-homes, a project designed to provide stable, affordable housing and a path to homeownership for senior veterans facing housing insecurity.

• Veteran Homes of Honor reached out to American Legion and VFW posts across Kane and Kendall Counties, inviting partnership and collaboration to strengthen local support networks and expand opportunities to assist veterans in need.

• A comprehensive partnership packet was delivered to 12 regional banks, inviting them to collaborate with Veteran Homes of Honor on a housing solution for veterans most in need. The proposal outlines how banks can participate through Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) investment to support the development of affordable veteran homeownership opportunities in Kendall and Kane Counties.

• Veteran Homes of Honor is actively seeking several acres of land to develop our pilot community of ten 600-square-foot homes for senior veterans. We recently met with local real estate professional Dan Dolan to explore potential land acquisition for the pilot project and discuss strategic land-banking opportunities that will support future veteran housing initiatives.

Impact Statement:
Veteran Homes of Honor is actively building public, private, and nonprofit partnerships to bring this pilot housing community to reality and establish a scalable model that can be replicated in other communities to serve more veterans in need.

Next Steps:

Secure land for the pilot community in Kendall or Kane Counties

Finalize public, private, and bank partnership funding

Complete a Pilot Community Concept site plan illustrating the proposed layout of the 10-home development

Complete site planning, zoning, and development approvals

Begin construction of the first Veteran Homes of Honor micro-home community serving senior veterans

Contact Us

Reach out to us with questions, to make a difference or to learn more about our mission to honor veterans through affordable housing.

Connect

+1-630-557-9080

Support

Info@VeteranHomesofHonor.org