Posted on Nov 23, 2015
Virginia ends Veteran homelessness will other states figure it out?
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Kudos to VA for this I hope other states can learn and execute from VA. This could be the start of ending veteran homelessness across the country. Is your state doing something to end it? What are they doing to get our veterans off the streets?
One down, 49 more to go.
Virginia became the first state to officially end veteran homelessness, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said on Wednesday. The milestone declaration means that every veteran in the state has housing, except for those were offered shelter, but declined, the Washington Post reported.
By streamlining resources and having the Department of Veterans Affairs, public housing groups, local utility companies and other key partners collaborate on the issue, Virginia housed 1,432 veterans since October 2014, according to a state press release.
In August, Connecticut became the first state to end chronic veteran homelessness. That’s the more “long-term pernicious” form of the issue, when people are habitually without shelter, Brian Sullivan, HUD public affairs specialist, told The Huffington Post.
Virginia, however, has “functionally” ended homelessness among veterans, which means the state has put systems into place that ensure homelessness is prevented whenever possible, or is otherwise a “rare, brief, and non-recurring experience.”
To maintain its status, Virginia has to be able to secure a home for a veteran within 90 days, and have more homes readily available than the amount of veterans without shelter, according to the Post.
The Veterans Day announcement came ahead of schedule.
McAuliffe committed to first lady Michelle Obama’s Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness in June of last year. The initiative is calling for an end to veteran homelessness by the end of this year. Since then, 20 mayors and county chairs throughout the state have joined in.
On a single night in January, there were 49,993 homeless veterans across the U.S.
Part of Virginia’s success hinged on its implementation of the “housing first” model.
The approach encourages housing people in need first, and then addressing their employment and health issues afterwards.
To help expedite the process, the state organized a “100 Day Challenge” among four communities in Virginia. At the end of the period in February, Roanoke, Richmond, the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads were able to house 462 veterans by harnessing community outreach efforts and housing programs.
While Virginia's the first state to eradicate the issue, a number of major U.S. cities have succeeded in completing the FLOTUS challenge.
New Orleans declared in December that it had ended chronic veteran homelessness and Houston announced in June that it, too, had put an end to the issue.
McAuliffe said this recent success will serve as the “launching pad” to end chronic homelessness for all Virginians by the end of 2017.
“This is an important victory in our ongoing efforts to make our Commonwealth the best place on earth for veterans to live, work and raise a family,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “However, we must remain committed to keeping homelessness among veterans, and, all Virginians, rare, brief and non-recurring.”
CLARIFICATION: This article has been updated to explain Virginia's precedence over Connecticut.
One down, 49 more to go.
Virginia became the first state to officially end veteran homelessness, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said on Wednesday. The milestone declaration means that every veteran in the state has housing, except for those were offered shelter, but declined, the Washington Post reported.
By streamlining resources and having the Department of Veterans Affairs, public housing groups, local utility companies and other key partners collaborate on the issue, Virginia housed 1,432 veterans since October 2014, according to a state press release.
In August, Connecticut became the first state to end chronic veteran homelessness. That’s the more “long-term pernicious” form of the issue, when people are habitually without shelter, Brian Sullivan, HUD public affairs specialist, told The Huffington Post.
Virginia, however, has “functionally” ended homelessness among veterans, which means the state has put systems into place that ensure homelessness is prevented whenever possible, or is otherwise a “rare, brief, and non-recurring experience.”
To maintain its status, Virginia has to be able to secure a home for a veteran within 90 days, and have more homes readily available than the amount of veterans without shelter, according to the Post.
The Veterans Day announcement came ahead of schedule.
McAuliffe committed to first lady Michelle Obama’s Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness in June of last year. The initiative is calling for an end to veteran homelessness by the end of this year. Since then, 20 mayors and county chairs throughout the state have joined in.
On a single night in January, there were 49,993 homeless veterans across the U.S.
Part of Virginia’s success hinged on its implementation of the “housing first” model.
The approach encourages housing people in need first, and then addressing their employment and health issues afterwards.
To help expedite the process, the state organized a “100 Day Challenge” among four communities in Virginia. At the end of the period in February, Roanoke, Richmond, the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads were able to house 462 veterans by harnessing community outreach efforts and housing programs.
While Virginia's the first state to eradicate the issue, a number of major U.S. cities have succeeded in completing the FLOTUS challenge.
New Orleans declared in December that it had ended chronic veteran homelessness and Houston announced in June that it, too, had put an end to the issue.
McAuliffe said this recent success will serve as the “launching pad” to end chronic homelessness for all Virginians by the end of 2017.
“This is an important victory in our ongoing efforts to make our Commonwealth the best place on earth for veterans to live, work and raise a family,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “However, we must remain committed to keeping homelessness among veterans, and, all Virginians, rare, brief and non-recurring.”
CLARIFICATION: This article has been updated to explain Virginia's precedence over Connecticut.
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Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 35
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I wish there were more details. What kind of homes? Is there a payment plan? If so, for whom? Does it vary by marital status? How does one apply for a home? Can any veteran now have a free home? How does one prove homelessness? Can I just end my current lease and If so, am I now homeless enough? I hope there are more details in upcoming stories..
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SSgt Michael Cox
The current definition of homelessness used by the federal government is
(1)
Individuals and families who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and
includes a subset for an individual who is exiting an institution where he or she resided
for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or a place not meant for
human habitation immediately before entering that institution;
(2)
Individuals and families who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence;
(3)
Unaccompanied youth and families with children and youth who are defined as homeless under other federal statutes who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition; or
(4) Individuals and families who are fleeing, or are attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or a family member.
What this means to you and me is that one of the following has to happen.
1. Have a court ordered eviction notice in hand
2. Be living in a shelter, car, or couch surfing with friends or family (this may not count depending on the pot of money)
3. co-habitation two or more families living together (this may also not count)
(1)
Individuals and families who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and
includes a subset for an individual who is exiting an institution where he or she resided
for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or a place not meant for
human habitation immediately before entering that institution;
(2)
Individuals and families who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence;
(3)
Unaccompanied youth and families with children and youth who are defined as homeless under other federal statutes who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition; or
(4) Individuals and families who are fleeing, or are attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or a family member.
What this means to you and me is that one of the following has to happen.
1. Have a court ordered eviction notice in hand
2. Be living in a shelter, car, or couch surfing with friends or family (this may not count depending on the pot of money)
3. co-habitation two or more families living together (this may also not count)
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I am sorry but complete end to veterans homelessness is a publicity stunt. Phoenix announced this last year but was only honest for 24 hours. There is no way to end all veteran homelessness due to the multiple causes of vet homelessness including, job loss, mental health issues etc. The most on can do and be honest about your efforts is say that there is enough housing for vets who want to end their homelessness.
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SPC Jeremy Benton
Check into Veterans on Patrol out in Arizona.. They have a better idea how to help. Boots on the ground, community helping it's self. Would like to see that start all over the US..
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SPC Jeremy Benton
It is in its infancy, but good hearts and minds behind the cause.. Check out Arthur Lewis. I just came back from AZ. I live in Illinois and would like to see this happen more. He also focuses on the 22 vet and 1 active duty suicide rate.. Good people can do good things with out being backed by greed.. Just making more people aware is all I try to do. No longer a tool of the government, but I pledge to be a tool for this world if we expect change... You are top of the discussion and also referenced Arizona, just trying to make folks aware we can cause this to change along with a lot of other issues, if we are willing to do...
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I live in VA and have heard absolutely nothing about the state of Virginia ending Veteran homelessness CSM Michael Lynch. Was this a legislative bill that wa recently signed by the Governor?
The most problematic quote is the following which implied that every single homeless veteran in the state has been found and asked if they want shelter.
"The milestone declaration means that every veteran in the state has housing, except for those were offered shelter, but declined, the Washington Post reported."
What are you thoughts COL Mikel J. Burroughs SGT (Join to see) SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Randal Groover SGT Robert Hawks GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
The most problematic quote is the following which implied that every single homeless veteran in the state has been found and asked if they want shelter.
"The milestone declaration means that every veteran in the state has housing, except for those were offered shelter, but declined, the Washington Post reported."
What are you thoughts COL Mikel J. Burroughs SGT (Join to see) SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Randal Groover SGT Robert Hawks GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
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LTC Stephen F.
MAJ Bryan Zeski - The people who moved in are not veterans. The mother knew my wife from my wife's work at the local school. They reconnected last week and have invited us over after the holidays. We learned they were not able to afford the house. They prayed about the it and the asking price went down to something they could afford. SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SGT (Join to see) SGT Randal Groover SGT Forrest Stewart
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
I have trepidation about news like this, because it causes those who follow little news to believe it's fixed and nothing more needs to be done.
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MAJ Alvin B.
Here is a link. http://jezebel.com/virginia-becomes-first-state-to-end-veteran-homelessnes [login to see]
Virginia Becomes First State to End Veteran Homelessness
On Wednesday, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced the state had reached a groundbreaking milestone: it effectively ended homelessness among military veterans.
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