1. Homes for Homeless Veterans

2.  Many groups and programs claim to be working to “end homelessness” but address only the issue of residential stability  Certainly the first and most pressing issue is the roof, but homelessness results from complex interactions  TCB Caring Hands addresses immediate needs first, without neglecting other influencing factors

3.  Veterans are 50% more likely to be or become homeless (Study: Veterans more likely to be homeless, 2007)  Veterans make up 11% of the total US population, but roughly 25% of the total homeless population (Veterans Make Up Larger Percent Of Homeless Population, 2011)  The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reports that among homeless veterans,  >50% suffer from mental illness or PTSD, increasing as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq continue  50% have substance abuse problems  67% served three or more years  33% were stationed in a war zone  25% have used VA Homeless Services  89% received an honorable discharge (Homeless Veterans In America, n.d.)  Most homeless veterans are men

4.  One author notes that most veterans are over the age of 25 and represent 43% of homeless men over the age of 25 Source: http://oldtimer.wordpress.com/fact-43-of-homeless-males-over-25-are-veterans/

5.  It is difficult to get an accurate number of homeless individuals, simply by virtue of their lack of visibility. What is clear is that their numbers are growing.  In 2006, it was estimated that nearly 500,000 veterans spent some time homeless during the year and represented 26% of the homeless population  Today, current estimates are that 500,000- 840,000 veterans are homeless at some time during the year and that they now represent nearly 1/3 of the homeless population

6. Source: http://www.wesoldieron.org/blog/usatoday Concentration percentages by state remain constant, but numbers are higher in 2011

7. Definitions  Temporary assistance  Short term, transitional assistance  Securing an apartment  Making a mortgage payment  Permanent housing  Purchasing or assisting with purchase of a home  Community development  Special needs housing  Medically assisted living  Group homes

8.  Initial focus will be on Florida, Texas, California and New York, the states with the highest incidence of veteran homelessness  TCB Caring Hands will provide apartments to veterans that may need smaller or temporary accommodations  Assisted Living includes accommodations with medical assistance, as well as a step program towards permanent housing

10.  Eligibility extends to any veteran who has been honorably discharged  Award considerations and required documentation  Financial need as identified through the application process  Proof of honorable discharge (DD-214)  Demonstrated and ongoing drug-free status  Spouse and dependent children are included  TCB Caring Hands will require a signed application and proof of discharge status, and will give the veteran written notification of acceptance

11.  It is the goal of TCB Caring Hands to eventually build communities of single family housing in each state  Florida, Texas, California and New York will be addressed first – collectively these four states hold 50% of all homeless veterans  Expansion to other states will be determined on the basis of concentration of homeless veterans

12.  Costs of apartments and assisted living widely vary across geographical regions  Single family housing costing is incomplete. Early figures include:  National average of $82/ft 2 for a standard 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home, excluding land and fees (app $123,000 for a 1500 ft 2 home)  Home kits for a $70,000 two-bedroom home, not including land and building permits

13. The goal is to help without enabling, to assist while also restoring confidence and pride TCB Caring Hands may not end homelessness among our veterans, but we will honor and assist those who permit it

14. Homeless Veterans In America – “Help Our Heroes.” (n.d.). Retrieved August 7, 2011 from http://www.squidoo.com/Military- Designs?utm_source=google&utm_medium=imgres&utm_ campaign=framebuster. http://www.squidoo.com/Military- Designs?utm_source=google&utm_medium=imgres&utm_ campaign=framebuster Study: Veterans more likely to be homeless. (2007, November 8). CNN.com. Retrieved July 14, 2011 from http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/08/homeless.veterans/ index.html. http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/08/homeless.veterans/ index.html Veterans Make Up Larger Percent Of Homeless Population. (2011, February 13). CBS San Francisco. Retrieved July 14, 2011 from http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/02/13/veterans- make-up-larger-percent-of-homeless-population http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/02/13/veterans- make-up-larger-percent-of-homeless-population