Fundraising for The Easthampton Lodging House Project
The Easthampton Lodging House project is about more than bringing a building back to life… it’s about restoring purpose, community, and connection. In partnership with the City of Easthampton, Massachusetts, we are working to transform a historic property into a place where veterans and neighbors can come together, grow, and thrive.
With the combined strength of Duty First Capital, Advocates for Human Potential, and the Farmer Veteran Coalition, our mission is simple: to create a safe, dignified space where veterans can live, work the land, and build a new sense of purpose through community, agriculture, and shared responsibility. The site at 75 Oliver Street will become a home, a training ground, and a place of healing, not just for those who live there, but for Easthampton as a whole.
Our team brings decades of experience in housing, behavioral health, project finance, veteran support, and public-private partnerships. We’ve led major funding initiatives, served in uniform, worked in boardrooms, and built programs that last. But at our core, we are people who believe in service, service to those who’ve worn the uniform, and service to the communities that support them. We believe in Easthampton. We believe in this project. And we’re ready to bring the time, talent, and commitment needed to see it through. Together, with veterans, local leadership, and the people of this city, we’re building something that reflects the values we all share… hard work, friendship, integrity, and a better future for all.
This isn’t just about redevelopment. This is about doing what’s right.
Here is a summary of where things are to date
Duty First Capital, alongside partners Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) and the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), recently traveled to Easthampton, Massachusetts, at the invitation of Mayor Nicole LaChapelle. The purpose: to assess and begin planning for the revitalization of the Historic Town Lodging House at 75 Oliver Street.
This site is more than just a building, it’s a piece of Easthampton’s story, and it holds incredible promise for what comes next. With the right team, vision, and leadership, this property has the potential to become a national model of what’s possible when veteran support, sustainable agriculture, behavioral health, and historic preservation intersect. Following a productive site visit and discussions with city leadership, a formal Letter of Intent was submitted on June 5, 2025. The LOI outlines a shared vision to transform the property into a mission-forward campus that serves veterans, creates local jobs, and contributes to community resilience.
Next 60-Day Objectives
Finalize funding commitments and operational plans
Engage formally with the City of Easthampton’s procurement and legal teams
Submit required documentation to support the property transfer
Begin early-stage design and renovation planning
Strategic Value
This project is a chance to put boots on the ground and build something lasting. It reflects DFC’s commitment to service-oriented leadership and cross-sector collaboration. By blending behavioral health services, agricultural training, and housing for veterans into a single historic site, the initiative offers a bold blueprint for other towns and cities.
This is where mission meets momentum. The path forward is clear, and the team is ready to execute.