Last yr, VA completely housed 40,401 homeless Veterans nationally, offering them with the protected, steady properties that they deserve. This exceeded the division’s purpose to deal with 38,000 Veterans in 2022 by 6.3%. Oklahoma City VA did its half, housing over 250 Veterans by Social Work companies in 2022.
The Friendship House (pictured above) is a transitional residing surroundings in Oklahoma City. The purpose is to focus on Veterans who’ve the targets of each everlasting employment and unbiased housing upon discharge. The program usually lasts 6-12 months.
While on the home, Veterans work with employment specialists, peer restoration specialists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers on their targets and infrequently restoration from psychological well being and substance abuse signs. The home provides construction and program pointers to assist Veterans set up wholesome habits to achieve success on their very own after discharge.
Nationally, the full variety of Veterans experiencing homelessness has decreased by 11% since January 2020. In whole, the estimated variety of Veterans experiencing homelessness in America has declined by 55.3% since 2010.
Purchasing Mobile Medical Unit Van
“We continue to work with the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Programs to expand our capabilities,” mentioned Oklahoma City VA Director Wade Vlosich. “We are excited about our Homeless Primary Care Team expansion. Oklahoma City VA is purchasing a Mobile Medical Unit Van to provide care to our homeless Veterans.”
According to Vlosich, a cellular medical unit will present VA medical employees working with homeless Veterans the mandatory infrastructure to supply care and a community-based setting to make sure a protected and confidential house with correct medical provides and tools available. This will assist to increase companies and improve entry to take care of Veterans experiencing homelessness.
These Mobile Medical Unit Vans will journey to particular emergency shelters, transitional housing websites and homeless camps. Additionally, this can enable Oklahoma City VA to supply medical care to Veterans who’ve restrictive actions as a result of they’re admitted to midway homes or sober residing amenities. This cellular van may also be used for vaccination drives and different actions to profit Veterans’ total well being care wants.
The purpose is to remove Veteran homelessness by offering shelter, transitional and everlasting housing to Veterans to those that want it essentially the most. Some examples are offering employment and completely different authorized companies by the Veterans Justice Outreach program.
Working with over 450 Vets in HUD-VASH
“We are working with over 450 Vets in HUD-VASH on permanent housing,” mentioned Cale Powers, appearing chief of Social Work. “We have 62 of those searching for properties in the area now. HUD-VASH has worked with the newly hired Support Services to Veteran Families (SSVF) Housing Navigator to identify new properties for rent. At the last report, the navigator had identified over 30 properties. As of Jan. 27, HUD-VASH has secured pre-inspections at a new property which has over 90 units available. Compared to the national statistics, we finished at 86% of our goal, and with SSVF’s assistance, housed over 250 Veteran in 2022.”
That everlasting housing contains residences or homes that Veterans might lease or personal, usually with a subsidy to assist make the housing reasonably priced. VA employees additionally helped some Veterans finish their homelessness by reuniting them with household and associates.
Ensure that no Veteran is left behind
“While we don’t provide direct financial assistance, we work closely with SSVF which does provide resources,” Powers mentioned. “They have the same income or financial limits as HUD.”
Coming later in 2023, the Oklahoma City VA will start development on a brand new Transitional Residence, growing the beds by 50%.
“Oklahoma City VA statistics are comparable to the national averages regarding Veteran homelessness, but we strive to do better,” Vlosich mentioned. “It is our job to ensure that no Veteran is left behind.”
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