10/23/2026
Tunnel to Towers Opens Southfield Veterans Village, Bringing Housing and Hope to Michigan Veterans
A new chapter in caring for Michigan veterans began October 21 as the Tunnel to Towers Foundation celebrated the grand opening of its Southfield Veterans Village, providing permanent, affordable housing and a pathway toward stability for veterans facing homelessness or housing insecurity.
The Tunnel to Towers’ nationwide Homeless Veteran Program is the ambitious mission of ending veteran homelessness. The Foundation has already provided housing assistance and supportive services to more than 20,000 veterans and 10,000 of their children.
The mission traces back to one firefighter’s extraordinary sacrifice on September 11, 2001. Firefighter Stephen Siller had finished his shift when he learned of the attacks on the World Trade Center. After finding the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel closed to vehicles, he strapped on approximately 60 pounds of firefighting gear and ran through the tunnel toward the Twin Towers. He died while responding to the disaster.
Stephen’s family established the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor his memory and carry forward his commitment to serving others. Led by his brother, Chairman and CEO Frank Siller, the organization now provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and families of fallen first responders, and supports educational opportunities for eligible children.
The Village transformed a former Southfield Holiday Inn Express & Suites into residential units, with shared community space and on-site support services. Rather than simply providing a roof overhead, the project brings housing and practical assistance together so residents can address the challenges that may have contributed to homelessness.
Available services include job training and employment assistance, educational support, VSO access, financial counseling and legal advocacy. Mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder counseling, and addiction recovery services will also be available. By bringing these resources into one location, the Foundation hopes to remove barriers that can make recovery and long-term independence difficult.
The American Legion Department of Michigan was represented at the dedication by State Adjutant Ron Runyan, 18th District Commander JD Daughtry, 1st District Commander Mark Sutton, Past Department Commander Roger Avie, Auxiliary Department President Anita L. Mennel, and several other Legion Family members. Their attendance reflected the Legion’s continued commitment to supporting Michigan veterans and recognizing organizations working to improve their lives.
Opening during the 25th anniversary year of September 11, the Village stands as a reminder that honoring service requires more than words. For veterans who once faced uncertainty about where they would sleep, Southfield Veterans Village offers something lasting: a home, a community and the tools to move forward with dignity. For information about the Southfield Veterans Village, the Foundation’s programs or ways to help, visit www.T2T.org.
