Homeless in eight days...should be interesting - what would you do?

SSgt Joe V. — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:53:43 -0500

Anyone in MN have any ideas for super cheap housing...? I am trying to find gainful employment, but I just got 10 days notice to vacate the room I am staying at...thinking a $179 tent for the bed of my truck might have to do.

Backstory - I screwed up my own marriage over the last ten years if you want to get technical, but it all came to a head and between PTSD and marital issues in May...after a suicide attempt and extended stay at a treatment facility, I started living with a friend's family in July, started working a masonry job I like a lot, but that was a seasonal position and now I am jobless (interviewed this morning and another interview Thursday), but was informed yesterday that I needed to vacate my room by the 23rd so that family can move in (death in the family). My child support payment wipes out my VA check and my truck and insurance takes care of any loose change...so yeah that is my pity story. Just down on my luck this Christmas...that's all.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 3:42 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:42:27 -0500

It would be helpful to know where you are.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 15 at 2015 4:40 PM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:40:00 -0500

SSgt Joe V. I had to live in my car for a year, once, through idiocy, provided thoughtfully by myself, and it wasn't THAT bad, for me. But I have all the cold-weather gear one could need, and the Salvation Army Kroc Center in my community provided showers, library, internet workout machines, lobby to sit in, and cafeteria for 27 bucks/mo.

If all else fails, I see there's a Kroc center in Green bay...

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 4:44 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:44:21 -0500

HomeBenefits & ResourcesAssistance & Families

Countdown to End Veteran Homelessness

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Homeless Veteran Prevention and Assistance

Ending Veteran homelessness is our moral imperative, a duty to those who have served. The vast majority of Veterans return home in good health and good spirits. Minnesota identified 317 Veterans experiencing homelessness in the 2014 Point-in-Time count, and homelessness among Veterans has dropped by 47 percent in Minnesota from 2010 to 2014.

We cannot rest while brave men and women who served to protect our communities experience homelessness within them. Heading Home: Minnesota’s Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness sets the goal of ending Veteran homelessness on a Veteran-by-Veteran basis by 2015. That means that we provide each Veteran and their family experiencing homelessness with appropriate, effective solutions.

Ending homelessness does not mean that a Veteran will never experience a housing crisis. Financial hardships and the unpredictability of life mean that Veterans may face housing crises or may experience homelessness. We are here to help Veterans and Minnesota’s communities ensure a rapid response so that homelessness is prevented whenever possible, and if it cannot be prevented, is a brief, nonrecurring experience, with a rapid return to housing. Together, we can ensure that every Veteran in Minnesota has a place to call home.

Resources to help Veterans end homelessness are listed on LinkVet and include the following programs:

Minnesota Homeless Veteran Registry

To help Veterans experiencing homelessness access stable housing, MDVA created the Minnesota Homeless Veteran Registry. The Registry connects Veterans experiencing homelessness with housing and services in their community. It also helps programs serving Veterans to coordinate their efforts. Participation is voluntary for Veterans. Anyone can refer a Veteran to join. For more information and to access referral forms, please see theMinnesota Homeless Veteran Registry page.

National Call Center on Homeless Veterans (877-4AID-VET)

Know that one phone call can be the difference in the life of a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Make the Call to 877-4AID-VET (424-3838) to be connected 24/7 with the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs services to overcome or prevent homelessness for yourself or a Veteran you know.

MOVE Program

The Minnesota Operation For Veterans Empowerment (MOVE) program temporally assists homeless Veterans at the Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul, MN. Assistance includes one-on-one case management with an MDVA Outreach Representative and a paid bed at the mission during case management. Veterans work with the case manager to select the various types of resources needed in order to help empower them to move beyond their current situation.

Please contact the MDVA receptionist at [login to see] for more information on how to apply for this benefit.

HUD-VASH Program

The Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the federal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). USDVA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers and community-based outreach clinics. To help Minnesota Veterans needing rent assistance through the HUD-VASH program, MDVA will pay the unsubsidized deposit amount, with the assurance from HUD that the Veteran will be able to pay their future subsidized rent moving forward. This is a once-per-lifetime benefit.

Please contact your County Veteran Service Officer for assistance or more information on this or other benefits. Find your CVSO at http://www.macvso.org or by calling 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838), MDVA’s one-stop customer service line for all Minnesota Veterans and their families.

Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans

The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V) provides assistance throughout Minnesota to positively motivated Veterans and their families who are homeless or experiencing other life crises. MAC-V accomplishes its mission by providing services directly or in collaboration with other service agencies.

For more information about efforts to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota, please contact Eric I. Grumdahl, Special Advisor on Ending Veteran Homelessness, Minnesota Office to Prevent and End Homelessness at [login to see] .us or by phone at [login to see] .

Call 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838) for all Veteran-related questions. The information on this website is available in alternative formats; contact MDVA’s Affirmative Action Office.

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Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 8:38 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:38:46 -0500

If you haven't done so already, make contact with your local VFW or American Legion. Maybe they have some local resources. The SPC had some good resources as well.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Dec 16 at 2015 8:39 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 08:39:25 -0500

Sir, first of all, I would not keep blaming yourself for "screwing up [your] own marriage." You had very real marital issues; that were not solely your fault.
PTSD as well, is decidedly not your fault.
And you had a seasonal job-that you LIKED. That is certainly to your credit. It is not like you are someone who doesn't want to work.
Sir, you are very attractive; and very well dressed.
Please don't give up on yourself (Commit suicide.)! You are way too needed and loved for that.
This will not last forever, although it seems that it will; at the moment.
If you have to sleep in the bed of your truck, for awhile, then so be it. At least you will have a tent over your head.
I have been homeless, by the way; Sir....to the tune of three summers.
I KNOW that it is the worst 'job' in the world.
And I KNOW just how badly it "sucks".
I finally joined the Army.
Angel, you have OPTIONS. Please, please explore them.
-With My Love, Margaret

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Dec 16 at 2015 9:12 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 09:12:31 -0500

SSgt Joe V. Please try and reach out to Anita Nowocin and her Daughter at Carry Me Productions. They are working hard to solve these types of issues thorughout the country. They may not have an immediate answer, but they may be able to provide some suggestions. You can always connect with our group as well Virtual World Solutions, d/b/a Sponsor a Vet Life. We work with and provide a unique support group for veterans with PTSD. We are a startup, but it's always good to have support. Here is our newsletter and feel free to reach out to me at anytime: https://www.smore.com/x19ep Here is my email address: [login to see]

SPONSOR A VET LIFE

Why Are We Waiting for Others to Find Solutions When Each Day Passes 22 More Veterans Will Commit Suicide? It is up to us, the Citizens...

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Dec 16 at 2015 11:12 AM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:12:54 -0500

Everyone touched on a ton of resources. I feel for you and have been damn near close to the same situation, too close for comfort. Utilize every resource you can, worst comes to worst start a gofund and link it here. I would be glad to help you out financially if need be. I don't want to see any Veteran on the street- too much of that right now...