Peter H. Dougherty, Director, Homeless Veterans Program U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs USDOL-VETS 2007 Competitive Grantees Training Conference August 7, 2007

Overview of VA Housing and Homeless Programs  There are 25 million US military veterans in the United States.  More than 5 million veterans including 100,000 homeless veterans receive health care service annually.  VA has awarded funding to more than 350 community and faith based organizations to support more than 10,500 Grant and Per Diem Program transitional housing beds.

 VA provides more than 165,000 single family loans each year valued at $25 billion  VBA has 20 Full-time and 37 part-time homeless veteran outreach coordinators to enhance prompt claims for homeless and at-risk veterans.  VBA identified and expedited more than 17,000 claims from homeless veterans.  44% of compensation claims and 77% of pension claims were approved. Overview of VA Housing and Homeless Programs

VA Programs  60,857 veterans received services from the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program.  4% Female Homeless Veterans  1,991 operational beds for the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program (DCHV), 5,283 episodes of treatment  4.7% Female Homeless Veterans  Eight (8) women veteran special needs GPD programs

Programs  15, 441 veterans were admitted to a GPD program nationally during FY  1,238 veterans were treated in HUD/VASH Program

OEF/OIF Returning Veterans  1300 OEF/OIF homeless veterans seen through outreach from 10/1/04 thru 3/31/07.  350 veterans placed in a VA or Community based residential treatment program.  81 OEF/OIF homeless veterans remain in residential treatment.  12% female veterans seen through outreach efforts.

Sociodemographic Characteristics  Age Medium 50.5Years  Race: 48% Black, Not Hispanic  Marital Status: Nearly 60% Previous Married  VA Benefits: 40%  Usual Employment: Full Time 19%, Part Time 27.2% Disabled/Retired 26.3%

Sociodemographic Characteristics  Period of Service 42.5% Vietnam Era 41.9% Post Vietnam 10.6% Persian Gulf/Later  Combat Exposure: 16.6%  Length of Time Homeless 8.3 % 1-2 Yrs 18.9% 2 Or More Yrs

Health and Mental Health Needs of Veterans  67% Medical Treatment  56% Alcohol Abuse  49% Drug Abuse  69%Any Substance Abuse  52% Serious Psychiatric Diagnosis  82% Serious Psych/Sub. Abuse Diagnosis  37% Dual Diagnosis

Homeless Providers Grant & Per Diem Program Program Description:  Purpose is to promote the development and provision of supportive housing and/or supportive services with the goal of helping homeless veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and/or income, and obtain greater self- determination.  Program is offered annually (as funding permits) to fund community agencies providing services to homeless veterans.  Only programs with supportive housing (up to 24 months) or service centers (offering services such as case management, education, crisis intervention, counseling, etc.) are eligible for these funds.  Two levels of funding: the Grant Component and the Per Diem Component.

Homeless Providers Grant & Per Diem Program Grants: Limit is 65% of the costs of construction, renovation, or acquisition of a building for use as service centers or transitional housing for homeless vets. Renovation of VA properties is allowed, acquiring VA properties is not. Recipients must obtain the matching 35% share from other sources. Grants may not be used for operational costs, including salaries. Per Diem: Priority in awarding the Per Diem funds goes to the recipients of Grants. Non-Grant programs may apply for Per Diem under a separate announcement, when published in the Federal Register, announcing the funding for “Per Diem Only” Contact: Grant and Per Diem Office: telephone (toll-free): Website:

Other Key VA Housing and Homeless Programs  Acquired Property Program  A VA foreclosed single family house can be sold at deep discount up to 50% off its original price to a non profit organization.  The purchaser has to agree as a condition of sale to us that property to “shelter” homeless persons in that property for at least three years.  Stand Down  Last year more than 125 stand downs (community outreach efforts) for homeless veterans were held. More than 27,000 veterans and family members were served aided by more than 15,000 volunteers

Other Key Program  Project CHALENG – Nearly 5,000 people attend local meetings to determine met and unmet needs and develop local action plans.  Incarcerated Veteran Outreach Initiative 21 Full time VISN Re-entry Specialists State specific incarcerated veteran re-entry guide books  Multifamily Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans VA has authority to guarantee up to 15 loans. The first loan to Catholic Charities of Chicago opened a 141 unit program January 2007.

our Mission is- To Change The End of The Story For homeless veterans debilitating physical and mental health issues leave many without hope. VA in collaboration with entities of government, community and faith based service providers, is changing the end of the story for tens of thousands of homeless veterans each year.  YOU ARE HELPING US MAKE a Difference  With the assistance of faith-based and community organizations the number and percentage of veterans among the homeless are declining. (250,000 on a given night to 195,000.)  Over 80% of homeless veterans in residential programs with service were appropriately housed one year after their discharge from that program.

Contact You can access homeless information on the internet at: Or by contacting Peter H. Dougherty, Director Homeless Veterans Programs At the end of life we will not be judged by the number of diplomas we have received, how much money we have, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.’ Mother Teresa