Pilot Program to Target Homeless Veterans

August 27, 2010 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is offering a new pilot program targeting chronically homeless veterans and offering them assistance. The new program will pilot in 5 cities, including Denver, which seems to be a magnet for the homeless. The programs will run 5 years, and will be funded with a $33 million grant that will create 40 beds for homeless veterans.

The cities where the program will run were chosen by geographical need. The closest program for homeless veterans with substance abuse problems in Denver is located in Wyoming. The Denver program should start in approximately 18 months and will be run out of an existing building. The other cities hosting the pilot program are:

• San Diego;
• Philadelphia;
• Atlanta; and
• Miami.

The program will be opening holistic treatment centers, not shelters. The residential programs will offer medical and mental health services as well as substance abuse counseling and job training. According to a recent VA study, of all the veteran-graduates from residential rehabilitation and transactional housing programs, 79% were still independently living a year following graduation.

2009 was the 2^nd of a 5 year national program focusing on eliminating homeless veterans. According to the VA, from 2003 to 2009 the number of homeless veterans on any given night dropped 18%.

This program has more of a proactive feel to it in that it is focusing on preventing veterans from the two current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from becoming homeless as opposed to just attempting to help those veterans already homeless. This program is just one in the VA's overall pan to combat homelessness among veterans but every step towards eliminating homelessness is critical.