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ZULU PROJECT:

The Plan to End Veteran Homelessness in Collier County

by Dale Mullin,
a Naples resident, is the founder and president of
Warrior Homes of Collier.

he end to veteran homelessness in Since our founding, we have helped more than 147 veterans
Collier County is near. On Nov. 7, find stability and purpose. Many have gone on to pursue higher
T Warrior Homes of Collier held our education, reconnect with family and contribute meaningfully to
annual Hope and Honor Gala at the Naples our community. In the last year we have provided programs and
Yacht Club. This event was more than a services to over 12,000 veterans and their families.
fundraiser; it was a celebration of resilience Securing housing is just the beginning. We partner with
and a testament to what is possible when a organizations such as the David Lawrence Centers, the
community comes together. Not only did we Department of Veterans Affairs, Southwest Florida Regional
honor the donors and volunteers who make our work possible, but Coalition to End Homelessness and VentureCares to provide
we unveiled the Zulu Project – a 10 unit, 20 bed apartment building mental health counseling, peer support, case management,
to house homeless veterans. homeless prevention and food support. We also offer educational
This initiative represents the next chapter in our mission. It is a opportunities, including scholarships and job training.
bold step, designed to deepen our impact in 2026 and beyond. The Our goal is ambitious but achievable: to reach Functional Zero
Zulu Project is the final piece to reaching Functional Zero status for status in Collier County, meaning no veteran is homeless unless
veteran homelessness in Collier County. by choice. As of September of this year, fewer than an average of
We are under contract on the Zulu Project building and will 10 homeless veterans remained in our region. With continued
close on in early December. Located adjacent to Delta House, the community support, we believe we can end veteran homelessness
Zulu Project will house up to an additional 20 Collier County here within the year.
homeless veterans and complete this part of our mission to end Warrior Homes of Collier is built on a simple but urgent
veteran homelessness in Collier County. This will bring our total belief: no veteran who served our country should ever be left
number of beds available to 59. behind. As a Vietnam veteran myself, I have seen the toll that
Once we take possession of the property, major renovations will war takes, not just on the battlefield, but long after the uniform
begin to prepare it for the veteran tenants. Renovations are expected is folded away. Too many of our heroes return home only to face
to be completed no later than mid-2026 at which time veterans will homelessness, mental health challenges and financial instability.
begin moving in. Warrior Homes was born to change that.
We began our housing initiative in earnest in 2019. Today, we Since founding the nonprofit in 2010 we have focused on
operate six residences in Naples: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo three pillars: housing, mental health and education. Through
and Foxtrot. Each home serves a distinct purpose. these pillars, we provide veterans with more than just shelter. It
Alpha House provides transitional housing for veterans is not just about offering services. We are working to provide the
recovering from substance use and mental health issues. Bravo foundation for rebuilding lives. We believe in a hand up, not a
and Charlie Houses offer long-term supportive housing for senior handout. Every veteran who walks through our doors is met with
veterans living on fixed incomes. Delta House, a 10-unit apartment dignity, compassion and a clear path forward.
complex, accommodates up to 20 veterans. Echo and Foxtrot As we look ahead, our message remains clear: the fight to end
Houses are twin homes, which sit side by side in the Bayshore area veteran homelessness is not over, but the finish line is in sight.
of Naples. Both homes are leased, below market rate, from Collier Warrior Homes of Collier is committed to walking alongside our
County as part of the county’s commitment to help end veteran veterans every step of the way. We will continue to offer hope and
homelessness. a path forward for those who served.
TO LEARN MORE OR SUPPORT OUR MISSION, VISIT:
WWW.COLLIER.ORG
Life in Naples | January 2026 37