Heather Phelps, MISM’s Post

For folks closely involved in or tracking efforts on #homelessness it's not news that the HUD-VASH program, a collaboration between U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has been the most successful homelessness program by far. Reducing the number of homeless veterans by half in the last 15 years is no small feat. However, the effort stands out in #homelessnesspolicy precisely because it is not primarily constrained by a lack of money. While there is nearly one #voucher for every homeless veteran, among other Americans the ratio is about one for every seven homeless people. https://lnkd.in/dbhgHCYP What lessons could be learned from helping #veterans avoid homelessness? Are the issues facing those at risk of becoming homeless political or financial? Is it promising or concerning that there is no engagement from #healthcare entities in this work?

The efforts to reduce veteran homelessness have begun to pay off! Over a 12-year stretch that ended in 2022, the population of unhoused veterans dropped by more than half. Although that trend reversed over the last year—rising 7.4% from 2022 to 2023—it was still lower than the 12% overall increase in homelessness. Part of the long-term success of reducing the number of unhoused veterans is the Veterans Affairs’ pledge to end it—as well as the funding to cover the costs of that goal. Coordinated efforts between local, state, and federal agencies that can act as safety nets; screening protocols to identify veterans at risk for homelessness; billions of dollars in federal money; and the prioritization of veteran homelessness by lawmakers across political parties has also contributed to that success. #veterans #homelessness

We have seen progress to reduce homelessness since 2010, but we still have a ways to go. As we embark on the annual Point in Time (PIT) count next week to help understand the state of homelessness across the U.S., it is a great reminder of the strong collaboration needed to reduce homelessness. The partnership between U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and state, city, and county governments with non profit, faith based, and communities continues to be very important to the mission in reducing homelessness. Love the fundmentals of the Housing First Model focuses on housing stability — and the research brief by #VA shows the overall effectiveness of the Housing First model in improving housing stability and potentially reducing expensive healthcare usage. Veteran who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, should call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838). If not a Veteran, call 211. Here is more resources as well. https://lnkd.in/euc5CUni #HumanExperience #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #Homelessness #Healthcare #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #SDOH

IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF A PERMANENT AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS AND HOMELESSNESS, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM! THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IS BROKEN AND NOT WORKING FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYERS Veteran Housing Corp would ask every TAXPAYER to demand and get answers from their elected and appointed government officials the below questions as they relate to any affordable, workforce, or supportive housing project in your community! 1. How much local, state, and federal funding, tax credits, or other government benefits or incentives did the project receive? 2. What is the affordability period for each project? Is the affordability period permanent and in perpetuity? 3. What guarantees exist have your local, state, and federal government officials obtained in writing that rents will not go up or that tenants will not be displaced or evicted after the "affordability period expires? Every local, state, and federal housing authority and affordable or workforce housing stakeholder should adopt the State of Vermont's "permanent affordability" policy as a model for all future government funded or subsidized housing projects or developments, no exceptions! https://lnkd.in/eFEUC8c8 Additionally, local, state and federal housing agencies should look to the Helsinki, FINLAND MODEL of ending homelessness by providing affordable housing for all 'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness https://lnkd.in/er9HZSQU Even the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AGREES THAT adopting FINLAND'S MODEL OF ERADICATING HOMELESSNESS may be of great value to resolving the affordable housing and homelessness crises in America https://lnkd.in/gkSZWYRU

Let’s include women and children, let’s create pathways to oversee non profit houses getting GPD funds in a way that protect residents safety. Let’s make funds available for non legacy houses to be stood up, or supported, which in the current set up basically blocks new housing enterprises for women, and women and children from standing up. The numbers don’t tell the entire story. These residences are too often an unadulterated, and unsafe mess. #FailingUpIsNotSuccess

Top 10 Myths and Misconceptions About Homelessness and Homeless Veterans Explore the truth behind homelessness, debunking top 10 myths and misconceptions, and revealing the real challenges faced by the homeless, including Veterans. https://lnkd.in/gGSP8_Dy #veterans #homelessness #myths #facts #misconceptions

Over a 12-year stretch that ended in 2022, the population of unhoused veterans dropped by more than half. Although that trend reversed over the last year—rising 7.4% from 2022 to 2023—it was still lower than the 12% overall increase in homelessness. Part of the long-term success of reducing the number of unhoused veterans is the Veterans Affairs’ pledge to end it—as well as the funding to cover the costs of that goal. The scale of resources for housing homeless veterans is far closer to the actual need when compared to any other subgroup of unhoused individuals, such as homeless families or homeless youth, says Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness who worked for HUD for a decade and helped design the supportive program for veterans. While the program doesn’t completely meet the needs of all unhoused veterans, she says, “it’s close.” However, that stands in stark relief to the non-veteran population. Read more from Anne Marshall- Chalmers: #endhomelessness #veterans https://lnkd.in/eGvqZEjs

VA Surpasses FY 2024 Goal: Over 43,000 Homeless Veterans Housed 🚨 Big News 🚨 The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has exceeded expectations, housing 43,116 veterans experiencing homelessness since October 2023—surpassing the FY 2024 goal of 41,000 one month early! 🎉 This incredible achievement marks significant progress, but the mission to end veteran homelessness is far from complete. 🇺🇸 Since 2010, veteran homelessness has decreased by more than 52%, yet 36,637 veterans remain without permanent housing. These veterans served our nation, and now it’s our duty to ensure they have the safety and stability of a home. Housing is healthcare 🏠💙, and every veteran deserves the security that a permanent home provides. As we celebrate this milestone, we must also address the urgent need for increased outreach to connect with veterans who may be disillusioned or disconnected from available resources. Programs like VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) and SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) are lifelines, but too many veterans remain unaware of how to access them. We must prioritize connecting these veterans to the services that can help them transition into permanent housing and regain their independence. 🫡 We won’t rest until the term “homeless veteran” is a thing of the past. The mission continues—and together, we can ensure that every veteran has a place to call home. 🙌 Learn more and join the effort: [https://lnkd.in/gt_3J76P) #Veterans #EndVeteranHomelessness #HousingIsHealthcare #VeteransAffairs #MissionContinues #Homelessness #VASH #SSVF #OutreachMatters #NoVeteranLeftBehind

Veteran Housing Corp strongly recommends that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as local, state and federal housing agencies adopt the Helsinki, FINLAND MODEL of ending #homelessness by providing #affordablehousing housing for all. I can't stress enough that current programs and models for ending homelessness in America are waste of taxpayer dollars and only provide a temporary solution to the SYMPTOMS of a larger problem, the #affordablehousing CRISIS in America. 'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness https://lnkd.in/er9HZSQU U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AGREES THAT adopting FINLAND'S MODEL OF ERADICATING HOMELESSNESS may be of great value to resolving the affordable housing and homelessness crises in America https://lnkd.in/gkSZWYRU

"Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will award $806.4 million in grants to help homeless and at-risk Veterans through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem programs. Supportive Services for Veteran Families: Through the SSVF program, VA is awarding 239 grants totaling approximately $797.5 million to community organizations that help rapidly rehouse Veterans and their families, prevent the imminent loss of Veterans’ homes, or identify more suitable housing situations. Grant and Per Diem Program: Through the GPD program, VA will award 14 grants totaling approximately $8.9 million to community organizations that provide Veterans with transitional housing and case management — including connecting eligible Veterans to VA benefits, community-based services, and permanent housing. These special need grants will fund approximately 105 transitional housing beds to support special populations of homeless Veterans including women, elderly, terminally ill, chronically mentally ill, or those who care for minor dependents."