Veterans facing homelessness, VA launches initiative to help

When veterans return home from protecting our country, they are often faced with unemployment, housing struggles and could eventually face homelessness. But the Department of Veteran's Affairs is making an effort to alleviate this dilemma.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, on a single night in January 2011, 67,495 homeless veterans were sleeping on the streets in the United States. In one year, an estimated 144,842 veterans spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.

Tammy Wood, program manager, Health Care for Homeless Veterans Programs, VA North Texas Health Care System said the center is assisting veterans any way possible.

"VA North Texas Health Care System is leading local efforts to end homelessness among our nation's military veterans," she said. "The Comprehensive Homeless Center provides transitional and permanent housing, supportive employment assistance, work therapy and community outreach. VA's National Call Center for Homeless Veterans connects veterans to resources and case management to help them reach their goals."

Paul Bastaich, veteran's service officer for the Denton County Veterans Service Office, said the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) assists homeless and at-risk Veteran families.

"We have a point of contact working with our Denton veterans locally," he said. "The purpose of the SSVF Program is to provide housing stability to homeless and at-risk veterans and their families."

Grantees, such as Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Worth, provide the following supportive services: active outreach both in community and with local VA; case management services; assist participants to obtain VA benefits; obtaining mainstream entitlements and services, Bastaich said.

"Grantees may also provide temporary financial assistance for rent, security and utility deposits, utility fees, moving costs, emergency supplies, and transportation," he said. "Our region program coordination is with Catholic Charities Diocese of Forth Worth, Inc., which will serve approximately 195 participant households in the North Texas Counties of Tarrant, Dallas, Denton and Collin and Fort Worth.

Many other veterans are considered at risk of homelessness because of poverty, lack of support from family and friends, substance use or mental health issues, and precarious living conditions. Leonard Martin, city manager for the city of Carrollton, said the VA's program aims to get veterans off the street and provide the assistance they need.

"All people who serve in the military in service to our country pay a big price," Martin said. "They dedicate a part of their lives to service, spend time away from their families, and can be in places of great risk."

Martin said that other than making people aware of the federal government's stepped up efforts the city does not have a specific program to assist veterans.

"I am sure there are veterans in Carrollton that are struggling like there are in every other city in the nation," he said. "Posting this notice on our website which costs us nothing but a few minutes of time is the least we can do to help those who are struggling."

Each year, VA's specialized homelessness programs provide health care to almost 150,000 homeless Veterans and other services to more than 112,000 Veterans, according its website. Although they are limited to veterans and their dependents, VA's major homeless programs constitute the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country.

VA has founded the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans to ensure that homeless veterans or veterans at-risk for homelessness have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. The hotline is intended to assist homeless Veterans and their families, VA Medical Centers, federal, state and local partners, community agencies, service providers and others in the community. To be connected with trained VA staff member call 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838) or visit va.gov/HOMELESS/prevention.

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