Through a collaborative effort with community partners and government agencies, the country saw a 12 percent drop in the number of homeless Veterans last year. And now, that effort has been recognized by the Partnership for Public Service’s Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Awards.
From the Federal Times:
Susan Angell of the Veterans Affairs Department and Mark Johnston of the Housing and Urban Development Department, recipients of the Citizen Services Medal. They led an interdepartmental program that reduced veteran homelessness by 12 percent — from about 76,000 in 2010 to 67,000 in 2011.
The dramatic reduction came from a focus on prevention services to keep Veterans in their homes. And even after the decrease, VA recently announced that 151 community agencies across the country received nearly $100 million to support 42,000 homeless Veterans, as well as those at risk of becoming homeless.
With that said, Veteran homeless remains one of the most serious issues facing VA, and one we remain focused on every day. If you’re a homeless Veteran or family member, or at risk of becoming homeless, please give our help line a call at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838), and visit our homeless Veteran site for more information on housing assistance, health care options, and more.
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Carry The Load, an organization dedicated to remembering the fallen, will visit 34 VA National Cemeteries traveling 20,000 miles along five separate routes covering all continental 48 states known as the National Relay for Memorial May 2024.
Over the five-year program, more than 14,000 VET TEC beneficiaries completed their program and nearly half have reported finding meaningful employment with an average starting annual salary of $65,000.
VA is calling for applicants for the 2024 Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology grant.
I want to thank you so much for trying to help our homeless veterans, but I have an issue, I would like to know where they are, they have no address, no phone, and no internet service, so they cannot contact the VA for help. If I knew where a homeless vet was in my area, my husband and I would take them in our home. They need our help. Again want to thank the VA in trying to help the homeless.
i wish to thank the contact numbers (800 424 3838) and online chat for giving me the “run-around” and NOT HELPING a veteran in need. thanks for wasting my time. i stated at the beginning of September that i was behind on rent, and now (sep 14 2012) notice has been placed. in about 2 weeks or less i’ll be living under a tree. i try and contact people who i think can help me. but instead i got transferred or referred over and over again.
Mark: I called the number you listed and got a message that it was not assigned. I’m not sure how you got that number, but here’s a better option:
Please try this number for the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans:
Call 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838)
Here’s the VA’s website address for http://www.va.gov/homeless/nationalcallcenter.asp
From the web page:
“The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) has founded a National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline to ensure that homeless Veterans or Veterans at-risk for homelessness have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. ”
and
“What will happen when I call?
– You will be connected to a trained VA staff member.
– Hotline staff will conduct a brief screen to assess your needs.
– Homeless Veterans will be connected with the Homeless Point of Contact at the nearest VA facility.
– Family members and non-VA providers calling on behalf of a homeless Veteran will be provided with information regarding the homeless programs and services available.
– Contact information will be requested so staff may follow-up.”
Give it a try. I’m confident you’ll get better results at that number.
Congratulations Susan and Mark.
Best wishes,
Bruce
I am a private citizen trying to assist homeless veterans, along with my mother and uncle. We have been at it for about 18 months now. We have made some progress however we are still trying to get all the government liscensing together. There has got to be something we can do now to expedite our position so that we can be a part of the solution!
If there is anyone out there with some useful ideas that can jump start us into action please advise!!!
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Mine is over 2 years old, what really ticked me off is when i tried to reach out to my local congressman for help and they said the VA was on a week vacation for Labor Day…knowing all the work they have in front of them…what kind of operation are they running over there, its Labor Day not Labor Week! I am just waiting now for them to come repo my house, car, and property…No one ever answers at the Homeless Vet phone number and they dont call you back either.
Thank you VA for all the hard work you are doing to care for our Veterans. Yes, there is still a lot of work to be done, but with the great vision, leadership and the dedication of the VA employees the homelessness in Veterans can and will be eliminated.
I wonder what percentage of the homeless veterans have a claim that is over 400 days old.
How about the veteran homeowner that is service connected and is not able to work since January/ 2012 and waiting for the desision of claim since 2001 and now is appeal at the BVA, send financial hardship and still waiting, VA has all the medical records, all the proof, all the test are real, all the savings are ran out not able to pay next month, don’t look for more, just what is earn and deserve!!!
Stephen,
You may want to try NVSF.org…they are an organization that maybe able to help you.
I have been trying to get help for taking care my sick husband and was unable to get it, however because of that I can’t work I am a teacher and I have to asked for FMLA so I don’t loose my job. In Addition I am in danger to loose my house and I am been calling the NVSF for help and I still waiting. Why the Va gives this money to this agencies? Why they didn’t give directly to veterans directly?. This agencies only take the money make so many bureaucratic boo.
I assisted my brother with getting his claims through and I owe the credit to the Disabled Veterans of America. Go to your local chapter and get help. Let them fight for your benefits. My brother was a Vietnam Vet and would of been homeless if I didn’t step in. The VA won’t find you…..you need to just be persistent.