Fewer homeless veterans, but VA's deadline looms. Can the VA achieve its goal?

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 00:57:17 -0400

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/

Fewer homeless veterans, but VA's deadline looms

Just seven months before the White House deadline, tens of thousands of veterans are still homeless and in need of help.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 1 at 2015 1:20 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 01:20:35 -0400

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.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 1:52 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 01:52:35 -0400

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.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 1 at 2015 6:28 AM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 06:28:47 -0400

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.

Response by Sgt Judy Leonard made Dec 29 at 2021 10:38 PM

Sgt Judy Leonard — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 22:38:43 -0500

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.

Response by Sgt Judy Leonard made Dec 29 at 2021 11:09 PM

Sgt Judy Leonard — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 23:09:14 -0500

“ 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.