Posted on Jun 1, 2015
Fewer homeless veterans, but VA's deadline looms. Can the VA achieve its goal?
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What do you all think? Can the VA achieve this goal? Despite all the trash most of us talk about the VA, this is one program I truly hope is successful.
There are veteran's groups out there that do help homeless vets, but none have quite the resources out there the VA does.
For example, a great group of vets that I hope to be officially joining next month, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, works with a local charity to get homeless vets into housing, assist with job placement, and getting treatment and financial benefits from the VA.
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/veterans/2015/05/31/homeless-veterans-deadline-nears/28070349/
There are veteran's groups out there that do help homeless vets, but none have quite the resources out there the VA does.
For example, a great group of vets that I hope to be officially joining next month, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, works with a local charity to get homeless vets into housing, assist with job placement, and getting treatment and financial benefits from the VA.
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/veterans/2015/05/31/homeless-veterans-deadline-nears/28070349/
Posted in these groups: 
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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Anything that we can do to assist these that are part of our family. I would think that we have millions of square feet of space in barracks that are on closed or scaled back bases that VA could use to house and assist in the transition back to civilian life BONAFIDE vets with issues.
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Sgt Judy Leonard
OK that is fair but Im sure and hopefully the VA would verify it first. as opposed to assuming Im not because Im female as they often do at the VA. no disrespect but I think that a barracks set up wouldnt really be housing because I think ultimately most people want a home a true home of there own where there are not stict military style rules. my opinion. to me that kind of situation is another shelter
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Sgt Judy Leonard
PO1 John Miller - great idea, however, there are many places that already do that and its apparent that it doesnt work. We need fresh ideas. I believe they should be housed permanently and sent the help they need
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The idea that there is less homeless is not correct. They simply changed the definition of homeless and I can show you the homeless and where they go. They are still there.
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PO1 John Miller
Kind of like how unemployment is "down" because so many people have been unemployed for so long that they've exhausted unemployment benefits and have pretty much given up finding a job. Or how the people who count unemployment numbers count temporary and seasonal jobs as full-time employment.
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I don't see the goal as realistic but i am happy to see a VA leader who will challenge the organization to do something to affect positive change.
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“ veterans into shelters and assistance programs within days.” A shelter is not housing
And the Los Angeles situation is illogical. The West LA VA campus is HUGE yet they LACK in housing. After working on a master plan since 2014 The VA has dragged there feet to accomplish the work. Meanwhile in December 2021 veterans are sleeping on the street outside the gates of the VA. What is wrong with that picture? EVERYTHING.
THE EXECUTIVES OF THE West LA VA live on campus in big beautiful houses with huge yards. While the vets, who this land was granted to, sleep on the street outside.
And the Los Angeles situation is illogical. The West LA VA campus is HUGE yet they LACK in housing. After working on a master plan since 2014 The VA has dragged there feet to accomplish the work. Meanwhile in December 2021 veterans are sleeping on the street outside the gates of the VA. What is wrong with that picture? EVERYTHING.
THE EXECUTIVES OF THE West LA VA live on campus in big beautiful houses with huge yards. While the vets, who this land was granted to, sleep on the street outside.
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The VA is good at giving vets services, food and clothing. The VA has the ability to house vets, but they are failing somewhere.
In my opinion the VA should make changes from working with the same non profits they’ve worked with for too long. The same non profits that get most of the grant money and return not enough.
Take the grant money and give more of it to newer younger non profits with fresh ideas who actually put vets in permanent private housing first in areas that are away from their old homeless life and then send them the type of help they need. More yeses and less stringent rules that push bets away.
Reestablish major grants out of the hands of the old guard non-profits and VSOs that give out pamphlets and pay the executives with the rest of the money. Instead of housing vets.
There is billions in grant money and no vet should be on the street or lack for anything.
In my opinion the VA should make changes from working with the same non profits they’ve worked with for too long. The same non profits that get most of the grant money and return not enough.
Take the grant money and give more of it to newer younger non profits with fresh ideas who actually put vets in permanent private housing first in areas that are away from their old homeless life and then send them the type of help they need. More yeses and less stringent rules that push bets away.
Reestablish major grants out of the hands of the old guard non-profits and VSOs that give out pamphlets and pay the executives with the rest of the money. Instead of housing vets.
There is billions in grant money and no vet should be on the street or lack for anything.
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