Ending Veterans Homelessness - PowerPoint Presentation

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Ending Veterans Homelessness

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Larry “Bear” WeinzirlChairmanPresented By:National Veterans Employment and Education Commission2Slide3

An Excellent Question3Slide4

Many veterans sacrifice comfortable, lucrative lives to protect the liberties of their home country 4Slide5

Only to find nothing left of those former lives when they return. 5Slide6

This Truly is6Slide7

In 2010, there were over 70,000* Homeless Veterans in the United States*Point in Time Estimate7Slide8

In 2016, that number had been reduced to 39,471*A reduction of over 56%*Point in Time Estimate8Slide9

This is an excellent start,But there’s a long way to go!9Slide10

What Everyone Should Know About Homelessness 10Slide11

Being Homeless, or at risk for Homelessness, is one of the most difficult things anyone can face. 11Slide12

Lacking the security of knowing where you’ll sleep at night, having no place to keep your belongings, and not being able to care for yourself (and possibly your family) can lead to stress, anger, a sense of shame, depression, and physical discomfort. 12Slide13

Generally, the causes of Homelessness can be grouped into three categories; economic hardships, health issues and lack of affordable housing. 13Slide14

Although these issues affect all Homeless individuals, Veterans face additional challenges in overcoming these obstacles.14Slide15

These include prolonged separation from traditional supports such as family and close friends,15Slide16

Highly stressful training and occupational demands, which can affect personality, self esteem and the ability to communicate upon discharge, 16Slide17

As well as non-transferability of some military occupational specialties into the civilian workforce. 17Slide18

Some Veterans become Homeless due to a combination of housing shortages and high unemployment. 18Slide19

Other Veterans may be dealing with painful memories from the military or health issues and have little access to health care or support from family and friends. 19Slide20

Women Veterans are at especially high risk of Homelessness. Women Veterans are more than twice as likely to be Homeless as women Non-Veterans.20Slide21

Young Veterans, ages 18-30, are also more than twice as likely to be Homeless than Non-Veterans.21Slide22

In some cases, what seems like a temporary lack of a place to stay becomes permanent. 22Slide23

In other cases, Veterans who are Homeless move from shelter to shelter because they don’t know where else to go.23Slide24

It is important to recognize that every homeless Veteran's story is different, including their specific needs to help them get back into permanent and stable housing.24Slide25

The VA has many benefits and services to assist Homeless Veterans. 25Slide26

Disability benefits, education, health care, rehabilitation services, residential care, and compensated work therapy are among the services they offer to eligible Veterans26Slide27

Aggressive outreach to Veterans living on the streets and in shelters who otherwise would not seek assistance;These programs strive to offer a continuum of services that include:27Slide28

Clinical assessment and referral for treatment of physical and psychiatric disorders, including substance abuse. About three-quarters of Homeless Veterans have substance abuse and/or mental health issues.28Slide29

The VA also assists with long-term transitional residential assistance, case management and rehabilitation 29Slide30

Also, employment assistance and linkage with available income supports and permanent housing.30Slide31

The American Legion Family supports the efforts of both public and private sector agencies and organizations that aid Homeless Veterans and their families. 31Slide32

Additionally, The Legion Family supports legislative proposals to provide medical, rehabilitative and employment assistance to Homeless Veterans and their families.32Slide33

The American Legion recognizes that aiding Homeless Veterans requires a sustained coordinated effort, which should provide secure housing and nutritious meals; essential physical health care, substance abuse aftercare and mental-health counseling; as well as personal development and empowerment. 33Slide34

Whatcan you do toassist?34Slide35

877-4AID-VETFirst and foremost, write this number down and keep it with you at all times. When you come in contact with a Homeless Veteran, advise them that they can contact the VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at this number and speak to a trained VA responder for assistance.35Slide36

This hotline is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Homeless Veterans and those at risk for Homelessness can request assistance at any hour of the day or night, including weekends36Slide37

You can also promote Veteran employment - Encourage employers to work with VA Community Employment Coordinators (CECs) – based at nearly every VA Medical Center – to share position openings and set up interviews with qualified Veterans.37Slide38

Encourage property owners and landlords to house Veterans exiting Homelessness 38Slide39

Explain to them about HUD-VASH -Housing and Urban Development –Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing 39Slide40

HUD-VASH is a collaborative program between HUD and the VA that combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help Veterans and their families who are homeless find and sustain permanent housing.40Slide41

Through public housing authorities, HUD provides rental assistance vouchers for privately owned housing to eligible Veterans who are experiencing homelessness.41Slide42

You can also collect and distribute move-in essentials - Veterans exiting Homelessness often need mattresses and other household items to make their new residence feel like home.42Slide43

Find and work with Community Partners who have programs that raise funds to help Veterans secure their first months rent and security deposits so they can exit Homelessness as quickly as possible.43Slide44

You can also go to the VE&E page of our SAL National website and print out the Homeless Veterans brochure for “First Responders”. First Responders are often in contact with Homeless Veterans on a daily basis.44Slide45

Distribute copies of this brochure to your local Police, EMT & Fire Departments. You’ll find that most will agree to put copies in their vehicles.45Slide46

You may even get some free publicity like we did, after initiating this program in my hometown46Slide47

Support Emergency Shelters – Donate personal care items, clothing (new underwear, socks and T-shirts are always needed) and food, or make cash contributions.47Slide48

Volunteer as mentors or counselors– Homeless Veterans in transitional or supportive permanent housing often need help with learning basic life and social skills as well as employment training and placement48Slide49

You can also volunteer at Stand Down programs – These are two- to three-day events that give Homeless Veterans a secure, community-like retreat to receive healthcare and personal hygiene services, food, clothing, housing and employment referrals, and VA benefits counseling – all in one location.49Slide50

Help develop Homeless Veteran Burial Programs to ensure that Homeless Veterans receive proper burial with military honors. These programs are collaborative efforts involving local medical examiners, hospitals, VA regional offices and funeral service providers.50Slide51

Search for organizations in your State that assist Homeless Veterans and give them your support.51Slide52

One such organization in my home state is MCVET (Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training)52Slide53

MCVET provides short-term and long-term housing that supports a variety of situations that Veterans may find themselves in. 53Slide54

Their housing services range from Day Drop In Facilities, Emergency Housing, Transitional Housing, and Single Room Occupancy.54Slide55

The Detachment of Maryland is a long time supporter of this outstanding organization and has had a member on their Board of Directors for many years including PNCs Bill Sparwasser and Bill Matoska as well as PNVC Bill Hill.55Slide56

Last year, the Detachment of Maryland purchased and donated not one, but two vans to MCVET56Slide57

Is there a similar organization in your state that you can assist? Why not go online and find out. I’m sure that there are and that they would appreciate your support.57Slide58

These are just a few ideas on how your Detachment, Districts and Squadrons can assist our Homeless Veterans.58Slide59

You can also come up with your own ideas on how you can assist.Be Creative!59Slide60

On behalf of the Sons of The American Legion National Veterans Employment & Education Commission Thank you for viewing this presentation!60Slide61

Please assist us as we assist The American Legion to EndVeteransHomelessness61Slide62

Thank you in advance for your assistance!62Slide63

Larry “Bear” WeinzirlChairmanNational Veterans Employment and Education Commission63