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Vulnerable Children & Adults Final 08-17-10 -   5.1 - Housing Availability for Homeless Veterans

 
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Vulnerable Children & Adults Final 08-17-10
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Action Plan
  
 
Final GMAP Reports > 6. Vulnerable Children & Adults > Vulnerable Children & Adults Final 08-17-10 > 5. Veterans Services > 5.1 - Housing Availability for Homeless Veterans
 

5.1- Housing Availability for Homeless Veterans

How do we increase available housing for homeless veterans as a part of the 5-year plan to end homelessness among the veteran population?
 
 
 
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Data Notes

Data Source:

3-9-2010

Target Rationale:

 

 

Add 10 Emergency Shelter Beds by 12-31-2010

Add 40 Transitional Housing Beds by 12-31-2010

Add 50 Permanent Housing Beds by 12-31-2010

Also Available
Action Plan: yes
Extended Analysis: no

 Drill Down Measures

 Summary Analysis

KEY ACTION ITEMS

  • There are currently approximately 654 veteran-specific emergency, transitional and permanent beds in Washington State.
  • DVA partnered with numerous community groups to hold a Veterans Housing Summit on June 2, 2010. See analysis and extended action plan.
  • DVA is working with Community Voice Mail giving homeless veterans voicemail access as a way to reduce barriers for housing. See extended analysis and action plan.

RELEVANCE

  • According to the 2008 VA Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups (CHALLENG) Report, there are approximately 8,714 homeless veterans in Washington State
  • Although there are many emergency, transitional, and permanent housing beds for the general homeless population throughout the state, the number of Veteran-Specific Beds does not even come close to meeting the needs for our veteran population
  •  The VA estimates that 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. And approximately twice that many experience homelessness over the course of a year.
  • According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, conservatively, one out of every three homeless men who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served this country
  • In addition to the complex set of factors affecting all homelessness -- extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care -- a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse, compounded by a lack of family and social support networks
  • Veterans need a coordinated effort that provides secure housing and nutritional meals; essential physical health care, substance abuse aftercare and mental health counseling; and personal development and empowerment. Veterans also need job assessment, training and placement assistance

Through targeted outreach efforts, DVA is planning to increase the number of Veteran-Specific Beds by 100 before the end of 2010.

See map for more information on current transitional housing beds for veterans.

 

 

 

 
Extended Analysis and Action Plan