Formerly Homeless Veteran Gets Dallas House

Vietnam War veteran turned his life around two years ago

A Vietnam War veteran who once lived on the streets across North Texas has a new home as part of a new outlook.

Michael Hancock, 56, struggled with alcohol and drugs after leaving the military. But the father of 10 grown children and grandfather of 12 turned his around two years ago.

First, he began working at the Veterans Administration hospital. Then he applied to a sobriety program and, in the process, moved into an apartment.

His ultimate dream was to become a homeowner.

"It was almost an impossible dream -- something that I wished for but didn't have any vision of it happening," Hancock said.

His dream became a reality on Saturday, when he moved into a new four-bedroom house in Dallas. It was provided by a partnership between the Department of Veteran's Affairs and Habitat for Humanity.

"So many people told me to give up, but my faith in God and the love of veterans that people have in America -- America loves veterans, and it happened," he said.

Hancock now speaks to other veterans who are homeless as a source of encouragement.

According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 2,500 homeless veterans live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

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