How veterans can help end veteran homelessness

2022-10-12T21:13:52-04:00

By Jamie Schleck (Army) and Moeed Ishrat (Coast Guard), Community Solutions

Homelessness is solvable. As an organization, Community Solutions works with communities proving it every day. And as a sector, we’ve seen this most clearly and powerfully proven by our country’s tremendous progress to end veteran homelessness.

As part of Built for Zero, our national initiative of communities working to end homelessness, 12 communities have successfully rendered veteran homelessness rare overall and brief, achieving a milestone known as functional zero. In places like Gulf Coast, Mississippi, any veteran who experiences homelessness is connected to housing in 30 days.

In the next few years, our nation has the opportunity to finish the job of making veteran homelessness rare and brief, everywhere. But making this the norm in our cities and counties, rather than the exception, is not the job of a single sector or agency. It takes all of us. Fellow veterans model what this looks like.

Based on our experience, we have identified a few steps to help you get started.

- Engage your local homeless system, and see how you can make the biggest difference in ending veteran homelessness in your community

Every community has a constellation of organizations and entities that serve veterans at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. These leaders may include the local Continuum of Care, nonprofit organizations, housing authorities, local and federal government agencies, faith-based organizations, shelter providers, and the local VA Medical Center.

Reach out to these organizations to see how you can make the biggest difference for the veterans experiencing homelessness in your community. If it is confusing to know where to start, begin by identifying your local SSVF provider, the VA Medical Center, or the Continuum of Care.

- Connect property owners and managers to the homeless response system

Housing options are often limited for those who are experiencing homelessness, even in cases where they may have vouchers or rental subsidies that guarantee rent. Individuals who rent or manage properties can help address these gaps for neighbors in need of housing and help the communities drive veteran homelessness toward zero.

If you are someone who owns, oversees or manages rental units or has connections to landlords or landlord associations — or has people in your network who do — make a connection with the local homeless response system. Encourage property owners and managers in your network to give a chance to a veteran in need of home. The local homeless response system should know each veteran awaiting housing, by name, and be able to make a match with an available home.

- Advocate for the policy changes that are going to remove barriers for ending veteran homelessness

Make sure your local community is set up to account for every veteran experiencing homelessness, by name and need, in real time. Reach out to your local homeless response system and VA Medical Center to ensure they have this comprehensive picture, also known as by-name data, on veterans experiencing homelessness in your region. Advocate for the changes that can ensure that any instances of veteran homelessness that do occur are rare and quickly resolved. Reach out to leaders within your system, as well as your local elected officials, to advocate that programs and resources for permanent housing solutions are dedicated to veterans facing housing instability and homelessness.

Response by CPT Richard Trione made Oct 13 at 2022 2:17 PM

2022-10-13T14:17:53-04:00

This is a very important subject we need to talk about and learn how we can all be helpful with our fellow veterans who have been experiencing homelessness for many years.

Response by PO3 Millicent Reeves made Oct 19 at 2022 10:42 PM

2022-10-19T22:42:31-04:00

I am so happy to know that this is being addressed.

Response by COL John McClellan made Oct 21 at 2022 10:35 AM

2022-10-21T10:35:41-04:00

The summary above leaves out community-based VSOs - Veteran Service Organizations - like VFW and American Legion; AMVETS, DAV, etc. These groups have been in this fight for more than 100 years. You might want to include them in your network and in your thinking on this issue. They're doing this work 24/7/365!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 22 at 2022 8:58 PM

2022-10-22T20:58:18-04:00

The nation should look at the Minneapolis model. The city used federal funds to purchase hotels and renovated them for homeless veterans. This eliminates remuneration to the real estate owners and significantly simplifies the process. I believe they were able to house all 400+ homeless veterans in a month. The program is also social worker centric as they work with the veterans because they tend to have challenging problems.

Response by SFC Steven Schneider made Oct 26 at 2022 6:20 PM

2022-10-26T18:20:49-04:00

Stop calling them homeless that just brings them down further. How about saying a Veteran in Newd.

Response by SN Clarissa George-Fair made Oct 26 at 2022 10:37 PM

2022-10-26T22:37:19-04:00

We need programs that directly affect homeowners with subpar housing or no home at all. You wouldn't believe how many veterans can't afford the basic electric, water, and heat.

Response by Tammy Blackwell made Oct 27 at 2022 7:48 AM

2022-10-27T07:48:51-04:00

I feel that the military bases that are closed would be great to house and set up a system where it is ran by the veterans themselves, employing them to run the base funded by government grants. Just as they are for basic training and continued operations.

Response by MSgt Robert E. M. made Oct 31 at 2022 9:26 AM

2022-10-31T09:26:08-04:00

Thanks for sharing! A few of our homeless veterans in our Polk county area were just released from prison or jail and having trouble finding work, keeping a job, or adjusting to freedom of life. Many of our local social, veterans, and church organizations are doing their very best to help those who want the help they need, but some of our homeless veterans are happy being free and helping others who do need the help. Our VA Centers are trying to do their best to do their part. Even our local Sheriff's Offices and Police Departments are trying to help and know where our homeless camps are or who's passing through.

Response by SPC Jeff Slater made Dec 9 at 2022 2:28 PM

2022-12-09T14:28:37-05:00

There is a a problem within the homeless epidemic that doesn't get discussed enough. Those about to become homeless but make too much money to qualify for assistance yet not enough to afford proper, safe homes. I know this as I am in this situation.