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$100 million will be awarded by the VA to help 42,000 homeless vets.
In January, Veterans United chief writer Levi Newman reported that female veteran homelessness has nearly doubled since 2006. The Department of Veterans Affairs has just taken another step towards solving the problem of veteran homelessness. On July 17, the VA announced $100 million in grants for homeless veterans, which will help approximately 42,000 homeless and at-risk veterans and their families.
The awards will be granted to 151 community programs in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Secretary for Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said that the grants will help the VA and community organizations prevent at-risk veterans from losing their homes. The VA hopes to end veteran homelessness by 2015.
The VA will award the grants under the Supportive Services for Veterans Families to non-profit organizations, which provide resources to low-income veterans families living in permanent housing.
Homeless providers will offer veterans and their family members outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining VA benefits and assistance in getting other public benefits. Community-based groups can offer temporary financial assistance on behalf of veterans for rent payments, utility payments, security deposits and moving costs. Last year the VA awarded about $60 million to help erase veteran homelessness.
The Huffington Post reported that, according to the Center For American Progress, more than one million veterans are at risk of becoming homeless, while tens of thousands of former service members are already living without shelter. One in seven homeless people previously served in the military, a December 2011 report found.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) assists homeless and at-risk veteran families. Through the SSVF the VA aims to improve the housing stability of veterans and their families. Benefits might include:
If you or anyone you know would like to help a veteran in need, please contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838).
Photo courtesy of Gerald L. Campbell
22 Comments
It great to see the VA giving such strong support to helping out the homeless veterans. But my question is instead of focusing on the end result which is homelessness, why not look into why our veterans are becoming homeless in the first place and put your money towards solving that issue. Right now the VA is playing catch up and instead they need to go onto the offensive and attack this issue from the source.
Ty: In the immortal words of Richard M. Nixon: “We could do that, but it would be wrong”. I think the VA is prohibited from making campaign contributions.
Ty, that’s an interesting, and poignant take. I wonder if there is a breakdown of homelessness amongst veterans based on conflict, e.g. 75% of homeless vets are Vietnam era, 10% Desert Storm, etc. I imagine that the vast majority of the homeless veterans are from Vietnam, since that was the last time we had a drafted army. Now, since we have an all volunteer force, those that leave the military are better equipped to transition to the civilian work environment, though the economy isn’t too friendly these days.
I am glad to see this, finally!! When I lost my job and house, I couldn’t even get them to see me at the VA, they said I had to have a co-payment. Where do you get a co-payment from if you have no income?? Needless to say, a dear friend helped me out, so I could get back on my feet, no thanks to the VA or any other agency who claims to assist people who are in dire need of it.
i’m sorry to hear that our country had let you down in such a way ,, i think 100 milion is a great start but the problem goes way further than 100 milion ,, i hope you have looked at any potential for a service conected disability , and saught help thru the VFW or another organization that may also to continue to help you ,, being a Vet myself i think any veteran that is homless is a very bad reflection on our country as a whole , we served our country ,, well if we need it then our country needs to be there for US
This is more VA DOUBLE-SPEAK”. Everything the VA does is a knee-jerk reaction.
Little to nothing, is PRO-ACTIVE, in supporting those who served this nation honorably.
What that supposed $100 Million is really going to do, is provide more red tape, gov’t Bureacracy, and official VA public memorandums telling the nation how wonderful they are. This is what the VA does best. Helping the veteran, the disabled veteran, the honorably discharged veteran is what the VA does worst.
EXPLOITATION OF VETERANS- DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU HOOK UP WITH ANY OF THESE SHAM VET OUTFITS:
Disabled Veterans National Foundation Accused Of Misusing Millions Under Investigation
By MATT GOURAS 05/23/12 05:26 PM ET
HELENA, Mont. — U.S. Sen. Max Baucus of Montana said Wednesday that the legislative finance committee that he chairs is launching an investigation into a charity it suspects may be exploiting veterans.
The Democrat said that the Disabled Veterans National Foundation has raised millions of dollars but apparently spent very little on disabled veterans. Large sums instead went to a marketing firm.
The organization said it welcomes the inquiry and sees it “as our opportunity to set the record straight,” according to a statement from the board of directors. Foundation officials say they provide a variety of help to veterans, such as giving gift cards to hospitalized vets.
The Baucus-led Senate Finance Committee sent the foundation a letter on Wednesday notifying the group that its tax-exempt status would be investigated. Baucus and U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C, wrote that “an organization which purports to help disabled veterans and operates as a tax-exempt organization deserves special scrutiny.”
The senators said their interest was sparked by reports that DVNF raised nearly $56 million in donations since it was founded in 2007, yet paid marketing firm Quadriga Art and its subsidiaries nearly $61 million. The senators also cited an “F” grade given the group by CharityWatch.
The veterans’ charity was told that only spending a small fraction of funding on the charitable purpose can results in losing a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status.
The Senate panel is asking the group for documentation, including detailed description of assistance provided to veterans and verification whether the same people have interests in both DVNF and the marketing firm.
The Washington, D.C.,-based organization says the high fundraising and marketing costs are part of building a donor database and support network.
“We realize that our fundraising and marketing costs seem high, however these fees are necessary to create the awareness of the causes we support and the programs we offer,” the group said. “We are completely dedicated to serving our disabled veterans and we remain focused on this important goal.
My husband is a veteran, and after serving his country, legislation changed during Bush Sr.’s administration to cut costs — and yes it hurt the veterans again. Those changes took away medical care promised to ALL of those wonderful men and women who served this great country keeping it free.
Since my husband left service, he has put himself through college and law school because as a young person at the age of eighteen, he didn’t know he would use the Gi Bill, plus back then the government made it look very appealing when the salaries were so very low, and he needed immediate cash to survive, so please do not make the same mistake. This happened to so many young men and women then. So now after many years he is now practicing as an attorney trying to help fellow vets — and yes we owe more student loans than we can ever pay back {lol}.
From my experience helping vets, what we have learned is sad, many vets will die before they get their claims approved through the VA; it is common for it to take up to 4 years to get medical care approved because the process usually automatically denies their claims then you have to fight the appeals. i highly recommend getting a VA certified lawyer to help with all the paperwork, the VA/govt makes it so hard to receive benefits, and the paperwork is very difficult to process. Each process can take 2 years , and then it has to be proven that it was caused during service unless you are one of the fortunate to have retired from the military – God Bless You! {here are some common problems – Cancer from Agent Orange, PTSD, Rape, Back and Neck problems, etc., however these must be documented, etc.} There is so much red tape. As you can see, I am not soliciting business for my husband or myself. I am trying to offer advice to help those that need it, when very few people will be honest about the situation.
I am so proud of all of the men and women who have served and they deserve better. As for homelessness, the percentages quoted are definitely low, I worked at a homeless shelters and have volunteered at domestic abuse shelters, it is staggering to see the number of Veterans served. They do not take into account the children and the family members into those statistics. So many VETS are just a few paychecks away from being homeless, believe me, we have been there, and it is disheartening, even with an education I know we can still be on the streets if things don’t get better.
I have also found there is a stigma in hiring vets, although laws protect VETS, and companies say they are an equal opportunity employer it doesn’t necessarily really mean they are. Obama has really tried to push companies to hire, by offering incentives, that is a step in the right direction, I would like to see it for all Vets, not just those that served the recent wars. Many companies are afraid of PTSD, or that VETS or those in the National Guard may be recalled. I have heard it in the board rooms of companies when they discuss hiring. We have a long way to go, and much to do to help our fellow vets. So, if you are a VET, please document everything, get your medical files from the government, and protect yourself. If you are a vet, look out for fellow VETS, you never know when you might need help yourself.
I am keeping my name anonymous to show I am not soliciting business, but I am honestly trying to look out for you all. Even after my husband worked hard to better himself for our family, sometimes that doesn’t even work. I hope you all find the services you deserve. Support Veteran Owned Companies
I have been trying to get help for a year now. Does this mean I will finally be able to save our home?
Have you tried NACA? They are helping me with my home.
Hopefully, you can save it. Will say a prayer for you and your family!
My name is Walter and I am a disabled Veteran. I became homeless after the economy crashed in ’08. The problem goes so much deeper than what a person reads or sees. Nearly all of that grant money is sucked up by ‘for profit’ Vet organizations. They take all the money that the Veteran is eligible for and they give you a lousy bed, and some unhealthy horrible food. I lost 32 pounds the last time I stayed at a Veterans shelter on Court St. in Boston.
im already homeless, hows this help?
My name is John Nanney of Northern Az Vets Serving Vets. Org I have been trying to help my homeless veterans here in northern Arizona (Flagstaff) for over a year now and it has just about ran me into the ground! The number of homeless and needy veterans keep climbing and the aid offered to our guys appears to be getting less and less. The rules and regulations have all but tied the hands of the VA Representative here the restrictions have bogged things down even more. I have finally went public with the problems and asked for help from various organizations and they all act surprized with the number of homeless and needy veterans that have given up on getting any help and have turned to living in the woods up here in the Mountains of Az. I was lucky enough to get the use of a closed gym at a local school and today is the last day we can be there. The problems we ran into is even though we wanted to help our veterans there were so many other non-vets including families and women coming in to us in hopes of getting out of the rain it became over whelming and many have issues that need to be addressed that just can not be done on a short term bases. The people that live and run the local school area have fought us every step of the way and as of today I have around 32 veterans and over 30 non-veterans and women that I have to tell it time to go back to the woods I have no place or anything else I can do. And for this I am truly so sorry and as a Marine it rips my heart out! I can only hope the Veterans Administration does step up and help our people because I have failed and even though I know I tried it will forever be on my mind there should have been more I could have done as an individual.
This is truly sad, I’m ashamed how we treat our vets. I’m a Marine vet of Desert Storm and have watched many vets come home now and struggle to adjust to society and realize this is only going to get worse. The statistics of 1 out 7 homeless is a vet I think is being a little generous. I think it’s closer to 1 out 5. If you count there immediate family it would be a lot higher.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that the government spends hundred of thousands of dollars to take civilians and turn them into soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. However, little to nothing is done to take us from the military and help us adapt back into civilian life. I spent fifteen years in the Navy (13) and National Guard (2) and after 12 years of being out I still have problems dealing with civilians. Most veterans I know are like that also. We would rather hang out with fellows vets than become friends with civilians who have no idea what we have gone through.
That is so true. Veterans and those that have been in the military have their own culture, or lifestyle. i think it is important to support each other because others just don’t understand. Take care.
People like John Nanney are true heroes. Those who actually get involved to help their brother/sister veterans. The VA is great at patting itself on their backs, telling the nation what a great job they’re doing, and how much $$ they’re throwing at vets issues. But in reality, nothing gets done, vets remain homeless on the streets of the USA each and every day.
The VA has lost the confidence of Americas Vets. The VA budget, year after year, is mainly to promote the engine of bureacratic nightmares, keeping its VA employees in a job, and putting the honorably discharged service connected veteran in waiting lines to sign up for programs that are tantamount to welfare. Veterans need a “hand-up”, not a “hand-out”.
Treating our nations Vets in a similar fashion to the Non-Vet homeless population is a slap in the face of those who served and sacrificed for this nation. All homeless need help. The VA should be going out onto the streets, verifying identities of those who served honorably, and who are living on the streets, and immediately providing shelter, food, haircuts, baths, psychological counseling, job training and job placement. Anything less, shows severe disrespect to those who served.
I’m a female vet, honorably discharged, with 2 adult children who are trying to pull themselves up. I am about to lose my home due to back taxes. My husband, their father, was a ‘Nam vet diagnosed with vietnam vet syndrome. His periods of unemployment due to anger, the domestic violence in the home which eventually spread to the children caused me to take our children and run with nothing but their blankies and pillows, and his eventual suicide once we returned 11 months later (after he received mental health support) …. we have issues. We need the roof over our heads, car repair help, and I need help finding work. After my husband died, I went to college and thought i’d be able to help others but, instead, find myself at the VA hospital with PTSD, clinical depression, and unable to hold a job. Then hurricane Ike upped the PTSD symptoms and chronic unemployment is exacerbating the depression. We are not making it and need some support. I called the VA help lines, they said that because I am not a recent vet, there is no help available. I am runnning out of unemployment and so worried that I can’t think straight.
I’m a Native American Vietnam-era Veteran, who is disabled with a non-service contected injury. I’m in need of some help to get a home for My Wife and Myself. Last Year,2011 I lost Our home due to a flood in Minot,ND. Now, we are live in a FEMA Trailer and in Jan. 2013 we will be paying rent on a two bdrm 12x 40 Junk.. I need to get a Grant to get a home for US. I believe I am entitled to some type if help from the Veterans Affairs Org.,Houseing and Urban Dev. Org.,Firstime Home Buyer Org., and the United States Government. That is this Government trying to do forget the little guy who served his country in time of war. Now I need some help Before the snow come and Christmas. I Need some help if you know how let me know ASAP you can find me at the address above! HELP
This morning watching the news, I notice a ticker along the bottom of the screen: It read “Homeless VET in TEXAS receives ticket for searching for food. “I am married to a Vet, and had he not received proper counseling while transitioning back from war he would have been a mess too. It breaks my heart knowing there are Men /Women who have served their country and discarded by our society like an unwanted dog left to eat from dumpsters! They were selfless enough to go to war for our country and were willing to DIE for our safety! WHY is that okay to let them be without anything? No home, no food, NOBODY to care. I challenge every Group out there for our VETS to go find this man and help him obtain shelter /food and proper counseling! It is sad and shameful that our country lets this happen to our Veterans! Somebody has to care & show these Men/Women the love & respect they deserve!
Really hope I can get some GOOD help with my med issues!!!