Exclusive: Mooresville mayor unveils plans for village of free homes for veterans
The town of Mooresville is partnering with Lowe’s and the New York-based nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes to develop a “village” of free homes for veterans, Mayor Chris Carney said Thursday.
The 14 homes will sprout over the next year or so on 4 1/2 town-owned acres along North Maple Street, across from the town’s War Memorial Recreation Center.
Carney announced the initiative to about 75 veterans at Welcome Home Veterans Military Museum at Richard’s Coffee Shop on North Main Street.
Andy Pujol, founder, CEO and chairman of the board of Building Homes for Heroes, joined Carney for the announcement.
“We love our soldiers, we love our veterans, and we want to treat them with pride and appreciation,” Pujol told The Charlotte Observer on a visit later Thursday to the site of the planned homes with Lowe’s and town officials. “But we also want to treat them better.”
Pujol participated in the search and rescue after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He was not there on the day of the attacks, but was part of the bucket brigade alongside first responders in the aftermath
He later developed cancer, which doctors strongly believe is linked to the toxins he inhaled during that time.
Town got legislation passed for veteran housing
Carney said the location for the homes is fitting. It’s a short walk along a path and a bridge to the town’s six-acre Liberty Park, where markers honor the service of veterans of various wars. The back entrance to Welcome Home Veterans is across Church Street from the park.
North Carolina cities and towns are prohibited by state law from giving away government property, but Mooresville worked with legislators on a local bill to let the Lake Norman town do so when benefiting veterans, Carney said.
The law was enacted in much less time than most legislation and can serve as a model for communities across the state, the former state senator said.
With military bases including Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina has many veterans who could benefit from such initiatives, Carney said.
Lowe’s has been ‘a great partner’
Building Homes for Heroes has gifted 440 homes in 36 states, including nine in North Carolina, David Weingrad, director of communications, told the Observer in a phone interview later Thursday. That includes new homes and modified and renovated ones, he said.
Veterans apply for homes on the organization’s website. Those with the greatest need, because of injuries both physical and mental suffered during their service, are the likeliest to receive homes, Weingrad said. They also can’t be homeowners.
“Lowe’s has been a great partner with us,” donating several million dollars to the organization and several million dollars from customers through its Round Up for Charity effort, he said. Customers can round up their bills to the higher dollar, with the change going to the donation program.
“It’s because of Lowe’s generosity that we’re able to achieve this amazing milestone,” Weingrad said of the number of homes the organization has given to veterans.
Joe McFarland, executive vice president of stores and merchandising at the Mooresville-based home improvement retailer, serves on the Building Homes for Heroes board, Weingrad said.
The homes effort will be formally announced during Veterans Day events in downtown Mooresville on Nov. 11, Carney said.
This story was originally published October 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM.