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Tucson motels renovated to house homeless Veterans

Posted at 7:26 PM, Oct 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-06 22:26:44-04

If you've ever taken a drive down Benson Highway you will come across run down buildings. 

But now a local man is making a big change in Tucson and renovating run down motels to house homeless Veterans. 

Phillip Fileccia spent more than 25 years as a property manager and most days denying people places to live based on their past. 

Many of the people denied had misdemeanors, felonies or no prior living arrangements. 

"That became discouraging because I thought the majority of these people were veterans and so they have served our country these guys deserve a second or third chance." says Fileccia. Adding,"we should help them until we no longer can."

Fillecia has made it his life mission to buy and renovate motels along Benson Highway -- all with his hard earned money. 

"I want to renovate and bring this back to life," says Fileccia. 

All this work to house homeless veterans. "It's a homeless veteran moving into a place that he can call home. That's special."

The Benson Motel, 3314 E. Benson Highway, will house more than 20 vets - Every unit will be furnished with free cable and internet. 

The Redwood Lodge across the street is already a success and houses at least 26 Vets. 

Want to help? Here's how, contact Phillip Fileccia at 520-599-8005.