VA homeless program to add more than 150 job coordinators. Is this even close to enough?

2015-06-11T09:43:08-04:00

In 2010, President Barack Obama and the VA launched the Ending Veterans Homelessness initiative, with the goal of getting every veteran off the street by 2016. The VA says its efforts have cut the homeless rate among veterans by more than 30 percent since that pledge, and current estimates put the homeless veterans population at 50,000. Some homelessness advocates have criticized the goal as unrealistic, but VA officials say with less than seven months to go in 2015, they are still committed to the timeline.

http://www.stripes.com/va-homeless-program-to-add-more-than-150-job-coordinators-1.351679

VA homeless program to add more than 150 job coordinators

As its self-imposed deadline to end veterans homelessness approaches, the Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new program to hire more than 150 employment specialists across the country.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 11 at 2015 9:45 AM

2015-06-11T09:45:58-04:00

For the entire country? That's an insanely low number! I would say at least 1,000 at an extreme minimum.

Response by TSgt Anthony Ellis made Jun 11 at 2015 9:53 AM

2015-06-11T09:53:01-04:00

Not enough is being done

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 11 at 2015 10:12 AM

2015-06-11T10:12:52-04:00

To little too late...of course it is really never too late to start helping but too late for their time line. Maybe it will help 150 veterans get jobs in the near term?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 11 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-06-11T10:35:37-04:00

I don't think it's enough either. But on the other hand, the VA has already proven that it's over budget. Are they going to get a new pot of money to pay these job coordinators or is it going to come out of a current pot?

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Jun 11 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-06-11T11:00:48-04:00

Not even close.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 11 at 2015 1:06 PM

2015-06-11T13:06:07-04:00

If they do their jobs instead of mucking about perpetuating red tape it would be enough. But, we know the real deal.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 8:28 AM

2015-06-12T08:28:05-04:00

I hipe they will be able to figure out who actually served..too many people claiming to serve actually get benefits. everytime I hear "homeless" veteran I question whether that person even served.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Nov 12 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-11-12T14:26:32-05:00

So putting 150 more job coordinators in the employ of the VA is going to do what exactly? That's probably 148 non functioning, non caring, overpaid senior level management personnel who won't do nearly enough to help out. There will be some blustering and promises made but in the end nothing much will change except that the number of homeless veterans increases.
In 5 years now what have they accomplished exactly?

Response by SN Keagan Miller made Feb 28 at 2017 12:25 PM

2017-02-28T12:25:48-05:00

I live in Portland, Or which just got recognized for having "Functionally" ended Veteran Homelessness. Of course, it's not over, but we have made huge strides in rectifying the issues. As an Employment Specialist for the VA's Grant/Per Diem program I can tell you that some people fall through the cracks but with this achievement we have a model that works so we can hopefully use it across the country and for other homeless populations.