Noteboom The Law Firm

New Program Helps Homeless Veterans Find Homes

April 22, 2010 - VA Secretary Eric Shinseki has given the VA's goal of eliminating homelessness among veterans a 2015 deadline. Programs are being designed to find housing for veterans all the time with much success and hopefully next year, when the VA starts subsidizing community groups who focus on at-risk veterans, more progress will be seen.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 107,000 veterans find themselves homeless on any given night. These numbers are down from 2009 and 2008 but are still unacceptable.

Two new housing projects will soon be 100% veteran-occupied: Tucker's Walk Veterans' housing project in Tuckerton, and Atlantis Apartments in Somers Point, Atlantic City. The Tucker project is in the process of being built and the Atlantis Apartments project, soon to be known as Veteran's Point, will be a converted apartment building complex.

In order to keep both complexes 100% veteran-occupied, no public money could be used for renovations or construction. Both facilities will include: 

• On-site staff;
• Case management; and
• Employment services.

 Funding transitional housing has never been an issue for the VA. Having the VA fund permanent housing is something entirely different. Currently there are approximately 20,000 permanent housing units waiting for veteran occupation with 9,000 more coming down the pipe and will be available some time next year.

These types of projects are exactly what veterans need for both their emotional and physical well-being. There are far too many homeless veterans and helping them in any way is the least this country can do for them.

Sec. Shinseki's goal of eliminating homelessness among veterans by 2015 is only going to be realized by the efforts and help of every possible platform. Giving veterans housing is a start. Once a veteran has a home it is much easier for them to then get a job, get help, and once again become a productive member of society.