By Freddy Groves
Back in March, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced its goal of getting 41,000 homeless veterans into housing during this fiscal year. As of this time, they not only reached that goal, but exceeded it. Nearly 48,000 homeless veterans have permanent housing now.
The numbers are impressive. Not only did they exceed the intended number, but they surpassed their goal of keeping veterans in that housing, aiming for 95% who stayed. They reached 96% this year.
The VA’s Housing First approach considers stable housing to be the first and most important in the whole menu of services and help that a veteran can receive. The model promotes the theory that getting veterans into stable housing should be first in the list of priorities, with other concerns — such as completing an alcohol program or beginning treatment for mental health issues — to be addressed afterward and not as a requirement to receiving housing services.
The housing program has a number of services, including working with HUD to provide vouchers to get into privately owned housing. Additionally, there are case managers who connect veterans to support services such as mental health treatment, legal services, health care, job training, counseling for substance abuse and employment services. The Housing First approach seems to be working, because veteran homelessness has been reduced over 50% since the program started in 2010.
For low income veterans with families, the VA has support services and case management that includes preventing homelessness or finding other housing. Go online to www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.html for more information.
One additional form of help is available at the nearest VA medical center, where homeless coordinators can provide connection to all the homeless services.
If you are a homeless veteran, or are at risk of becoming homeless, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for help.
You can also go to the VA’s homeless services webpage at www.va.gov/HOMELESS/housing.asp. On that same page, scroll to the bottom for 24/7 chat and a link to the nearest VA medical center.
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
Lake Havasu Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights returns for 2024
LAKE HAVASU — Lake Havasu City, Arizona, will once again come alive with holiday spirit on December 14, 2024, as the Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights graces the waters of the Bridgewater Channel beneath the iconic London...
Read More
