100+
Homeless Veterans in South Hampton Roads Housed During 100 Day Challenge
In
alignment with the federal goal, the Commonwealth of Virginia and South Hampton
Roads cities have committed to ending veteran homelessness by the end of 2015.
Last September, the City of Virginia Beach joined the Cities of Chesapeake,
Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk, and Western Tidewater, in the 100 Day
Challenge to kick off this initiative. The initial goal was to house 125
homeless veterans in South Hampton Roads by Jan. 30, 2015. By the end of
the 100 Day Challenge, the South Hampton Roads region not only met the goal,
but it also exceeded it, housing or in the process of housing a total of 137
homeless veterans, including 38 veterans from Virginia Beach.
In
alignment with the federal goal, the Commonwealth of Virginia and South Hampton
Roads cities have committed to ending veteran homelessness by the end of 2015.
Last September, the City of Virginia Beach joined the Cities of Chesapeake,
Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk, and Western Tidewater, in the 100 Day
Challenge to kick off this initiative. The initial goal was to house 125
homeless veterans in South Hampton Roads by Jan. 30, 2015. By the end of
the 100 Day Challenge, the South Hampton Roads region not only met the goal,
but it also exceeded it, housing or in the process of housing a total of 137
homeless veterans, including 38 veterans from Virginia Beach.
As part of the effort, housing
agencies and service providers attended intensive training and worked together
to develop a process for identifying and assessing the most vulnerable homeless
veterans in South Hampton Roads. Housing opportunities were provided
through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs
Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers, which combine Housing Choice Voucher
rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical
services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans were also
housed with the help of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
Program, which assists homeless and low-income veteran households in obtaining
and maintaining permanent housing by providing services related to rental
assistance/security deposits, utility assistance, emergency and general housing,
and other services. The SSVF Program is operated in Virginia Beach by the
Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation (VBCDC).
In keeping with our commitment to
ending veteran homelessness by the end of 2015, Virginia Beach is continuing
this initiative with the help of local nonprofits, faith-based organizations
and other community organizations and volunteers.
"Our goal is to not only
ensure that all veterans in Virginia Beach are housed by the end of the year,
but that they are also connected to the resources and support they need in
order to retain their housing. These include case management, counseling, job
training, and even transportation to interviews and appointments," said
Pam Shine, Housing & Neighborhood Preservation's homeless programs
coordinator. "In order to be successful, we cannot do this alone. Ending
veteran homelessness is a community-wide effort and we believe that together we
will be successful."
For more information on the
initiative to end veteran homelessness or how to get involved, please contact Pam Shine at (757) 385-5761.
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