Hello, everyone! My name is Markezious “Keze” Washington, and I am currently located in Augusta, Georgia, near Fort Gordon, with strong roots in South Carolina. I am an active-duty United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant with 17 years of service. I joined the Marine Corps in 2009, served in Afghanistan, and plan to retire after completing 20 years of service in 2029. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to lead Marines, manage teams, solve complex problems, and learn the importance of service, accountability, mentorship, and taking care of people. Outside of the military, I am an entrepreneur and real estate investor. I own Washington & Friends LLC, operate a growing vehicle-rental business, and am building a real estate portfolio focused on creating long-term income while also making a positive impact in the community. I am currently investing in the Augusta area and exploring ways to develop affordable, supportive, and sustainable housing opportunities for veterans. My passion for veteran housing is personal. My father was also a Marine, and before he passed away in 2020, he lived in a veterans’ home where I saw areas in which veterans deserved stronger support, accountability, advocacy, and quality of care. That experience stayed with me and helped inspire my long-term goal of developing housing where veterans are treated with dignity, respect, structure, and genuine concern for their well-being. I joined VetMentors Housing University because I want to learn how to build veteran housing programs the right way, not simply provide rooms, but create safe communities that help veterans regain stability, independence, purpose, and a sense of belonging. I am especially interested in veteran shared living, affordable housing, supportive housing programs, HUD-VASH and community partnerships, real estate development, government funding, grants, and sustainable business models. My long-term vision is to acquire and develop properties that provide quality housing for veterans while partnering with the VA, local organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and other community leaders. I would also like to create pathways that help veterans move from temporary or shared housing into permanent housing and homeownership whenever possible.